Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle has named a strong 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming international friendly matches against Iran and Jordan. The games, part of preparations following the team’s impressive third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), were originally set for Amman, Jordan, but have been relocated to Antalya, Turkey, due to escalating military tensions in the Middle East.
The Super Eagles will face Iran’s senior national team on Friday, March 27, 2026, with kick-off at 4:00 PM local time. They then take on Jordan on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, starting at 8:00 PM local time. These friendlies provide an excellent opportunity for Chelle to test combinations and integrate new talents ahead of future commitments.
Key inclusions feature team captain and midfield powerhouse Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey), creative midfielder Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), and star forward Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain). The squad also welcomes returns and debuts, including Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye (Udinese), defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), and forwards Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England), Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain), and Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey).
Making his senior debut is Scotland-based defender Emmanuel Oluwasegun Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers). Also earning first call-ups are Germany-based forward Philip Otele (Hamburger SV) and Belgium’s Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk), a former junior international. Greece-based goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC) returns to the national team setup.
Full Super Eagles Squad for Friendlies vs Iran & Jordan
Goalkeepers:
- Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
- Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
- Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders:
- 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)
- Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Midfielders:
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
- Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England)
- Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
Forwards:
- 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)
- Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium)
The inclusion of Akor Adams stands out, fresh off his goal-scoring heroics in the AFCON 2025 quarter-final against Algeria in Marrakech, where he netted one of Nigeria’s two goals in a dominant victory.
These friendlies in Antalya offer a crucial platform for squad cohesion and experimentation under Chelle’s leadership. Fans can look forward to seeing the Super Eagles in action as they continue building momentum on the international stage.
