Eric Chelle includes surprise names in Nigeria’s preliminary AFCON squad

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has included a new defender and a winger in his preliminary Super Eagles squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria will begin their qualifying campaign with a home match against Madagascar in Uyo on 23 September before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

Chelle is expected to start sending preliminary invitations by Monday as he begins preparations for the two fixtures. The coach will then reduce the initial group to a 30-man squad for the matches.

The inclusion of the two uncapped players represents a notable change in the early selection plans for the senior national team. Both the defender and the winger have previously been monitored by Chelle, with their interest in the players reported several months ago.

However, their presence on the preliminary list does not guarantee that either player will be included in the final squad.

The final selection is expected to be confirmed in two weeks, meaning the two players will have to wait before learning whether they will make their competitive international debuts in the forthcoming qualifiers.

Chelle wants Nigeria to make a strong start to their bid to reach the 2027 AFCON. The Super Eagles will have home advantage in the opening match against Madagascar before making the journey to Guinea-Bissau for their second fixture.

The early invitations are part of the process used to establish the group from which the final 30 players will be selected. Details of the new defender and winger have not been confirmed.

Nigeria’s preliminary plans have therefore introduced an element of uncertainty ahead of the official squad announcement, with Chelle continuing to assess options for the two matches.

The Super Eagles’ campaign will open in Uyo on 23 September, while the fixture in Guinea-Bissau is scheduled four days later. The outcome of the selection process, including whether the two newly included players survive the final cut, is expected to become clear when the 30-man list is released in two weeks.

Source: Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman.