Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has named a powerhouse 23-man squad for this month’s international friendlies, headlined by captain Wilfred Ndidi, midfield maestro Alex Iwobi, and clinical forward Ademola Lookman.
In a significant logistical shift, the double-header against Iran and Jordan has been moved to Antalya, Turkey, after the escalating military conflict in the Middle East made the original Jordanian venues untenable.
Among the other selections are Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu.
Scotland-based defender Emmanuel Oluwasegun Fernandez receives his first senior call-up, joining Germany-based forward Philip Otele and Belgium’s KRC Genk striker Collins Yira Sor, a former youth international, in making their debuts.
Greece-based keeper Adeleye Adebayo also makes a return to the team.
The goalkeepers in the squad are Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece) and Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus).
The defenders picked are 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) and Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland).
Midfielders selected comprise Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium) and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy).
Meanwhile the forwards are 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) and Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium).
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