Super Eagles: Chelle Unveils 13 New Faces as Nigeria Expands Senior Team Options

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has handed first senior invitations to 13 players as Nigeria continues to widen its pool of options ahead of a busy international schedule. The new invitees cut across defence, midfield, goalkeeping and attack, with most currently playing their club football in Europe and the Middle East.

The development comes as Chelle operates separate squads for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau and the international friendly against Russia. The arrangement gives the coach an opportunity to combine experienced internationals with emerging players while assessing potential additions to the senior team.

Among the new names is 22-year-old defender Isaac James, who plays for Portuguese club Alverca. The versatile left-back can also operate as a wing-back or left centre-back and is included in the group selected for the AFCON qualifiers. He previously came through Garden City Panthers before spells in France and Portugal.

Another defensive prospect is Victory Akpe, a 19-year-old centre-back who has progressed through European football. Akpe moved from Lithuania to Hungary before joining Swiss side Basel in 2026 and has now received his first invitation to the senior national team.

The goalkeeping department also has a new face in Samuel James of Finnish club SJK. The approximately 20-year-old goalkeeper developed at Mavlon FC and previously represented Nigeria at youth level with the Flying Eagles before establishing himself in Finland.

Chelle has also looked to strengthen his midfield options with several young players. Chibuzo Nwoko, a 20-year-old left-footed midfielder who came through Fulham’s academy after spending time in Chelsea’s youth system, has switched his international allegiance to Nigeria after representing England at Under-18 level. Stephen Fumelu, 19, plays for Danish side Vendsyssel FF, while 21-year-old Igor Wilfred operates as a central or defensive midfielder for Norwegian club Kristiansund.

Another midfield addition is Abdulrasaq Popoola, also known as Ridwan Popoola. The 19-year-old Al-Wasl player developed through Nigerian grassroots football before moving to Hungary and later the United Arab Emirates. He primarily plays as a defensive midfielder and has established himself as a regular starter for the Dubai-based club.

Mubarak Suleiman is another teenage midfielder attracting attention. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder plays for Czech club Slavia Prague after emerging from Abuja’s Right2Win Academy. His performances in the UEFA Youth League and his progression into Slavia’s senior team have now earned him an opportunity at senior international level.

In attack, Moses Usor brings greater experience to the new group. The 24-year-old LASK winger, who can operate from the right side, was an important part of the Austrian club’s recent league-and-cup success and has also been included in Nigeria’s AFCON qualifying squad. George Ilenikhena, a 20-year-old Lagos-born striker now with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, is another new senior invitee and has committed his international future to Nigeria despite being eligible for France.

The remaining attacking prospects are Peter Edokpolor, Umar Abubakar and Umar Abdullahi. Edokpolor, 19, is a tall forward with Benfica’s development sides after joining from Galadima FC. Abubakar, 20, plays for Portuguese club Famalicão after a spell with Jong Gent in Belgium during which he scored 21 goals. Abdullahi, also known as Abdullahi Umar, is a 19-year-old striker at Czech club Hradec Králové who previously scored 25 goals in one Under-19 season.

The latest invitations underline Chelle’s ongoing approach of expanding the Super Eagles player pool while maintaining a core of established internationals. Nigeria’s AFCON qualifying squad includes names such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon and Ola Aina, while the Russia assignment is expected to provide further exposure for emerging players.

Nigeria will begin its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. The Super Eagles are then scheduled to meet Russia in an international friendly on October 6, giving Chelle another opportunity to assess the expanded group of players now entering the senior setup.

The 13 players receiving their first senior invitations are: Isaac James, Victory Akpe, Samuel James, Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Fumelu, Igor Wilfred, Abdulrasaq Popoola, Mubarak Suleiman, Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Peter Edokpolor, Umar Abubakar and Umar Abdullahi.