Victor Osimhen, goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie, defenders Chidozie Awaziem and Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Muhammed Usman, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi, as well as forwards Salim Fago Lawal and Cyriel Dessers, have been dropped from the Super Eagles friendlies against Iran on March 27, and Jordan on March 31, with both fixtures now set to be played in Antalya, Turkey.
They were part of the AFCON pool but will play no role in this window.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced this on Wednesday, saying Eagles manager Eric Chelle has selected a 23-man squad for the two matches, retaining a strong core of experienced internationals while bringing on new players into the team.
Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi will anchor the side, alongside midfield regular Alex Iwobi and former African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, who is the attack arrow head in place of Osimhen.
The exclusions of Osimhen and Nwabali headline a sweeping reshuffle of the squad that featured at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with Chelle opting to assess new options and reconfigure his team ahead of the fixtures against Iran and Jordan.
The matches were originally billed for Amman, but had to be relocated following the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East, forcing organisers to secure an alternative venue.
Back in the Eagles squad is Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who is expected to stand in for Nwabali’s absence, Greece-based Adeleye Adebayo and Francis Uzoho completing the goalkeeping department.
Chelle has maintained Semi Ajayi and handing a first senior call-up to Scotland-based Emmanuel Fernandez as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s defence options.
Ndidi, Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka joined by Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, are the midfielders.
The attackers are Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses, Chidera Ejuke, Paul Onuachu, and Akor Adams.
New call-ups to the squad incliGermany-based forward Philip Otele and Belgium-based Collins Yira Sor, both rewarded for their club performances.
The final 23-man squad lists Maduka Okoye, Adeleye Adebayo and Francis Uzoho as goalkeepers; Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu and Emmanuel Fernandez in defence; Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in midfield; and Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses, Chidera Ejuke, Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor in attack.
