Chelle drops Osimhen and Nwabali from 23-man squad from four-nation friendly tournament

SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 23-man squad for the forthcoming four nation international friendly tournament taking place later this month that includes the surprise omission of star striker Victor Osimhen.

Nigeria has been invited to participate in a four-nation invitational tournament during the next Fifa's international window between March 27 and 31. This tournament, which will involve the national teams of Jordan, Iran and Costa Rica, will now take place in the Turkish city of Antalya, having been moved from the Jordanian capital Amman, due to the Middle East crisis.

Earlier today, Mr Chelle named his squad for the tournament with the shocking omissions of Osimhen, fullback Ola Aina and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.  Their absence provides an opportunity for other players  to be tried out as the team continues its rebuilding process under Chelle.

Among the new invitees are Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez, Hamburg winger Philip Otele and Genk forward Collins Yira Sor, all of whom will be keen to make a strong impression. Nigeria will face Iran on Friday, March 27, before taking on Jordan on Tuesday, March 31, also in Antalya.

These friendlies are expected to give Mr Chelle a clearer picture of his squad depth, while also allowing new players to integrate into the team setup.  With competition for places intensifying, the matches against Iran and Jordan will be crucial in shaping the Super Eagles’ direction ahead of future engagements.

Full squad

Goalkeepers:

Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders:

Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Midfielders:

Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)

Forwards:

Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany); Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium)