Which Players Do You Believe Do and Do Not Deserve Their Place In The National Team

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The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is pleased to announce the Super Eagles squad for the forthcoming international friendly matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, scheduled for March 21 and 25, respectively. Head Coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a 25-man roster, blending experienced stalwarts with emerging talents, reflecting the team’s commitment to excellence on the global stage.

Squad Selection

The following players have been called up:

Goalkeepers:

Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia)
Maduka Okoye (Watford FC)
Matthew Yakubu (SKF Sered)

Defenders:

William Troost-Ekong (Watford FC)
Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganés)
Ola Aina (Torino FC)
Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)
Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC)
Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC)
Valentine Ozornwafor (FC Sochaux)
Nathan Tella now replaced by Joshua Torunarigha (KAA Gent)

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
Joe Aribo (Southampton FC)
Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC)
Alex Iwobi (Everton FC)
Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC)

Forwards:

Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli)
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal CF)
Moses Simon (FC Nantes)
Terem Moffi (OGC Nice)
Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor)
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC)
Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest)
Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor)

Notable Omissions and Their Reasons:

Akor Adams (Sevilla FC): Despite being included in the preliminary 39-man list, Adams has been omitted from the final squad due to an ongoing recovery from a muscle injury sustained on February 7, which has sidelined him for approximately five to six weeks. While he has commenced light training, both club and national team medical staff have agreed that he should focus on a full recovery to prevent potential setbacks.
Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC): Ejuke, a regular in previous national team selections, has been left out of the current squad. Despite a commendable performance in his recent club match against Real Sociedad, the coaching staff has opted to provide him with additional time to regain full match fitness and consistency at the club level before reintegration into the national team setup.
Leon Balogun (Rangers FC): The veteran defender has faced an injury-plagued season, limiting his appearances. Although he has publicly refuted retirement rumors, citing them as “fake news,” his limited game time and ongoing recovery have influenced the decision to exclude him from the current squad. The coaching staff acknowledges his experience and contributions but emphasizes the need for players to be in optimal physical condition for international duties.

Coach Eric Chelle’s Statement

“Selecting the national team is always a challenging task, especially with the depth of talent Nigeria possesses. Our decisions are based on current form, fitness levels, and the strategic needs of the team. We believe this squad embodies a balance of experience and youth, and we are confident in their ability to represent Nigeria with pride and excellence.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe serve as crucial preparations for the Super Eagles as they gear up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The NFF urges fans and stakeholders to rally behind the team, offering unwavering support as they strive for success on the international stage.