Meet 13 players handed first-time Super Eagles call-ups
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has handed first senior invitations to 13 players as he continues to widen his options ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international fixtures.
The new invitees, largely drawn from clubs in Europe and the Middle East, cover every area of the pitch and include players selected for the international friendly against Russia as well as the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Chelle is working with separate squads for Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau and the subsequent friendly against Russia.
While established players have been retained for the competitive fixtures, the Russia match gives Chelle an opportunity to assess younger talents who could become part of the Super Eagles’ senior setup.
The 13 players receiving their first senior invitations are:
Isaac James
The 22-year-old Alverca defender is capable of playing at left-back, wing-back or left centre-back.
James started his career with Garden City Panthers before moving to France and later Portugal, where he has become a regular starter for Alverca. He is included in both Chelle’s wider selection and the AFCON squad.
Victory Akpe
Akpe, 19, is a centre-back who has made rapid progress in European football.
The approximately 1.95m defender moved from Lithuania to Hungary before joining Swiss club Basel in 2026. His physical presence and ability to build play from defence have earned him his first senior invitation.
Samuel James
SJK goalkeeper Samuel James is another youngster receiving his first call-up.
The approximately 20-year-old goalkeeper came through Mavlon FC and previously represented Nigeria at youth level with the Flying Eagles.
He has established himself in Finland and now forms part of Chelle’s goalkeeping options.
Chibuzo Nwoko
The 20-year-old midfielder is a left-footed central midfielder who came through Fulham’s academy after spending time in Chelsea’s youth setup.
Nwoko represented England at Under-18 level before switching his international allegiance to Nigeria. He recently made his senior club debut and is now in line for his first Super Eagles appearance.
Stephen Fumelu
Fumelu, 19, also known as Stephen Michael, plays for Danish side Vendsyssel FF.
The central midfielder joined the club in 2025 and is regarded as an energetic box-to-box player. His invitation gives Chelle another opportunity to assess Nigeria’s emerging midfield options.
Igor Wilfred
Wilfred, 21, operates as a central or defensive midfielder for Norwegian club Kristiansund.
The midfielder has established himself as a regular starter in the Norwegian Eliteserien and has now earned his first Super Eagles invitation.
Abdulrasaq Popoola
The 19-year-old Al-Wasl midfielder, also known as Ridwan Popoola, is a defensive midfielder standing at about 1.91m.
Popoola began his career in Nigerian grassroots football before moving to Hungary, where he played for Kisvárda, and subsequently joining Al-Wasl in 2026.
He has since become a regular starter for the UAE club.
Mubarak Suleiman
Suleiman, 19, plays for Czech giants Slavia Prague.
The attacking midfielder emerged from the Right2Win Academy in Abuja and gained attention through his performances in the UEFA Youth League.
He also scored after making his senior debut for Slavia and recently extended his contract with the club until 2031.
Suleiman is now in line for his first senior appearance for Nigeria.
Moses Usor
The 24-year-old LASK winger is among the more experienced players on Chelle’s list of new invitees.
The left-footed forward primarily operates on the right wing and played an important role in LASK’s recent league-and-cup double.
Usor has also been included in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON qualifiers.
George Ilenikhena
Lagos-born striker George Ilenikhena, 20, developed in France with Amiens before moving to Royal Antwerp and Monaco.
He scored in the Champions League during his time in Europe before joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in 2026.
Eligible to represent both Nigeria and France, Ilenikhena has committed his international future to the Super Eagles and is also part of the AFCON squad.
Peter Edokpolor
The 19-year-old Benfica forward is a tall centre-forward who can also operate from the wing.
Edokpolor joined the Portuguese giants from Galadima FC and has progressed through Benfica’s Under-23 and B teams, while also gaining exposure to the first-team setup.
He has now received his first senior invitation from Nigeria.
Umar Abubakar
Abubakar, 20, is a 1.90m striker who plays for Portuguese club Famalicão.
The former Nigeria Under-17 international scored 21 goals during a loan spell at Jong Gent before securing a permanent move to Famalicão.
His performances have now earned him his first Super Eagles call-up.
Umar Abdullahi
Hradec Králové striker Umar Abdullahi, 19, completes the list of new invitees.
The forward, also known as Abdullahi Umar, made a strong impression at Under-19 level after scoring 25 goals in one season.
He has since progressed to senior football in the Czech Republic, featuring in domestic league matches and European qualifiers.
The invitation represents his first at senior international level.
Chelle’s latest selections underline his efforts to broaden the pool of players available to the Super Eagles.
The coach had earlier indicated that he would use separate squads for the AFCON qualifiers and the Russia friendly, enabling him to retain established internationals for the competitive matches while assessing emerging talents.
The established names in the AFCON squad include Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon and Ola Aina.
The Russia squad, meanwhile, features a larger contingent of emerging players alongside some established Super Eagles internationals.
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