Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to meet Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi headline the squad, alongside established players including Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Tolu Arokodare.

Arthur Okonkwo returns to the squad after his impressive performances during the Unity Cup, where he kept clean sheets against Zimbabwe and Jamaica. He joins Nwabali and Maduka Okoye among the goalkeepers.

Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks have also returned, while Chibuike Nwaiwu keeps his place after making an impression during the Unity Cup.

Chelle has handed first senior call-ups to Portugal-based defender Isaac James and forwards George Ilhenikhena and Moses Usor.

The squad combines experienced Super Eagles players with new faces as Chelle looks to build depth ahead of the AFCON qualifying campaign.

### 24 Players Invited

Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Maduka Okoye (Udinese), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United).

Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Isaac James (Alverca), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt), Frank Onyeka (Coventry City).

Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Akor Adams (Venezia), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), George Ilhenikhena (Al Ittihad), Moses Usor (LASK).

Team India batter Rinku Singh said he is working on his bowling to become a mainstay in the T20I playing XI after the series against Afghanistan. The 28-year-old has been in and out of the Indian T20I lineup over the past year, with all-rounders being preferred over specialists in the middle order.

Rinku was part of the victorious Indian 2026 T20 World Cup squad but is left out of the squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026. The southpaw also missed the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which India won 3-0.

Addressing being in and out of India’s lineup, Rinku told Sportstar:

“Right now, I am working on my bowling because that is what the game demands. At the moment, I keep getting in and out of the team, and that happens because of combinations. Some selectors and coaches feel that in T20 cricket, you need to have two skills – you should be able to contribute with both bowling and batting.”

He added:

“So I am working on my bowling. It is not as if I haven’t bowled before. I have bowled and taken wickets at the international level as well. But I want to work more on my bowling so that the selectors can see that improvement. Being in and out of the team can be difficult. It puts some pressure on you and can disturb you mentally. But it is very important to remain positive.”

Rinku has bowled his off-spinners sparingly in T20Is, picking up three wickets in 16 deliveries.

“Competition has certainly increased because leagues like the IPL are producing talent” – Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh believes the IPL has enhanced the competition for spots in the Indian T20I setup. While stressing the importance of boasting multiple skills, the 28-year-old dismissed the need to modify your game to stay ahead of other contenders for a spot in the side.

“Competition has certainly increased because leagues like the IPL are producing talent every year. You see players like Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) and Priyansh (Arya). There is a lot of talent coming through now. As I said, you need to have two skills in the game,” said Rinku (via the aforementioned source).

He concluded:

“But it is not as if we have to change our own game because someone else has come along. So be happy when a big talent comes through. Think positively about them and about yourself. It will be good for everyone.”

Since debuting in 2023, Rinku has played 48 T20Is for India and boasts an excellent record with an average of almost 37 and a strike rate of 156.34. He has also played two ODIs for India.