Kenya
Nigeria
Ghana
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States
India
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Cameroon
Ivory CoastNigeria Squad Announced Without Osimhen and Iheanacho for Tanzania Matches
Eric Chelle has named a 24 man Nigeria squad without Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho for AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania.
Missing Stars in Attack
Coach Eric Chelle has named a 24 man Super Eagles squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double header against Tanzania. Striker Victor Osimhen misses out after undergoing surgery on Nov. 7. The forward is expected to stay out of action for a couple of weeks, making his absence expected.
Kelechi Iheanacho was also left off the list. The forward scored in his last game for Nigeria and has 17 goals and three assists in 14 games in the Turkish second tier, but Chelle did not pick him. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was dropped as well. Okoye arrived late to camp during the September window, taking an extra day off before the match. Francis Uzoho returns to the squad in his place.
The Impact of Losing Osimhen
Osimhen being out creates a serious issue for the team. Nigeria holds a 56.9% win rate when he plays, winning 29 of 51 matches while scoring 94 goals. Without him, Nigeria has won 25 of 62 matches for a 40.3% win rate, with the team average dropping from 1.84 goals per game to 1.27.
The difference was clear during 2026 World Cup qualifying. Nigeria won five and drew two with Osimhen, scoring 15 goals. Without him, they managed four draws and one loss, failing to win a single game. Chelle will need players like Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Moses Simon to deliver in attack.
Squad Details and Upcoming Schedule
Captain Wilfred Ndidi leads the group, which also includes defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and Ola Aina, alongside midfielders Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Chelle continues to give opportunities to young players. The squad has an average age of 26.8 and includes seven players under 25, such as 19 year old Mubarak Suleiman, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Benjamin Fredrick.
Nigeria currently sits second in Group L, where only one qualifying spot is available. The Super Eagles host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday Nov. 13. They then head to Zanzibar for the return match at Amman Stadium on Tuesday Nov. 17.
Where to go next
On this site
Note: we do not get paid for any link on this page.
Be the first to comment
Tell us who you think wins and why. Keep it friendly. Links are removed on their own.
Note: comments are the writer own opinion, not ours, and never a tip from us.
