Eric Chelle opens Super Eagles door: 6 foreign-born stars now in Nigeria’s plans

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has opened a new route into the national team for several players born and raised outside of the shores of Africa, Afrik-Foot reports.

Players who grew up in England, Germany and France are now becoming a major part of his plans as Nigeria prepare for the next stage of its Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Felix Agu, Ryan Alebiosu, Emmanuel Fernandez, Arthur Okonkwo, Femi Azeez, and George Ilenikhena are the latest names in that group. Reports suggest that all six are expected to be part of Chelle’s squad for the September qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

In his 20 months in charge of the Super Eagles, Chelle has shown a willingness to integrate top quality players into the fold of the three-time African champions, regardless of where they were born.

As the Malian tactician looks to lead Nigeria to glory at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, some of these foreign-born stars will form the core of the Super Eagles.

Foreign-born players changing the Super Eagles under Eric Chelle

Felix Agu

Agu is one of the clearest examples of Chelle’s approach.

Born in Osnabrück, Germany, on September 27, 1999, the 26-year-old came through German football with VfL Osnabrück before joining Werder Bremen in 2020. He also represented Germany twice at under-21 level before choosing Nigeria.

Agu has built a substantial club career in Germany, with 109 appearances for Werder Bremen, including 75 in the Bundesliga. He has played on both sides of the defence during his career.

That flexibility could be crucial for the Super Eagles. Agu can operate as a full-back and gives Chelle another player who can cover the wide defensive positions without changing the basic structure of the team.

His international switch also carried a useful detail for Chelle’s recruitment plan. Agu had already played for Germany’s youth teams, so Nigeria was not simply selecting a player who had never been involved in another national setup.

His decision showed that players developed in Europe’s major football systems can still choose the Super Eagles when they see a clear international pathway.

Ryan Alebiosu

Alebiosu gives Chelle another right-back option with a very different background.

Born in Islington, London, on December 17, 2001, Alebiosu spent more than a decade in Arsenal’s academy. He later played senior football in England, Scotland and Belgium before joining Blackburn Rovers in 2025.

His move to Nigeria came after a period of steady development outside the Premier League spotlight. At Blackburn, he has become a regular Championship player.

Alebiosu has seven league appearances in the first few weeks of the 2026-27 season, with the right-back starting all seven and playing 586 minutes. He also had five assists in 39 Championship appearances last season.

That gives Chelle an interesting alternative at right-back. Ola Aina has long been one of Nigeria’s established options, while Abdullahi Bewene and other younger players are also pushing for opportunities.

Alebiosu therefore does not arrive simply as another name on the squad list. He brings experience from the English professional system and regular Championship football, while his attacking output at Blackburn gives Nigeria another way to use the right-back position.

Emmanuel Fernandez

Fernandez has quickly become one of the more intriguing additions.

Born in London on July 17, 2001, the 1.94-metre defender took a longer route through English football. He spent time with Brentford and Gillingham before spells with non-league clubs and Peterborough United. Rangers signed him in 2025.

His move to Scotland raised his profile as he became an important part of Rangers’ defence, while offering a threat at set pieces.

Fernandez made his Nigeria debut on March 27 against Iran. He came off the bench in a 2-1 win before scoring four days later in the 2-2 draw with Jordan.

His value to Chelle is clear. Nigeria already has experienced central defenders, but Fernandez adds height, physical strength and an attacking threat from dead-ball situations.

Femi Azeez

Azeez brings something different to the group, direct attacking threat.

Born in England, the 25-year-old winger took an unusual route into top-level football. Watford released him as a youngster, after which he played non-league football for Northwood, Wealdstone, Hanwell Town and Bracknell Town before returning to the professional game.

He eventually reached Reading and then Millwall, where his performances turned him into one of the Championship’s more productive wide players. Brighton signed him from Millwall in September 2026 on a four-year contract.

Azeez finished his Millwall spell with 15 goals and 13 assists in 77 appearances. He was also selected in both the PFA and EFL Championship teams of the season for 2025-26.

His Nigeria start was even faster. Azeez scored both goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Zimbabwe on his debut at The Valley in London on May 26. Four days later, he set up another goal in the 3-0 victory over Jamaica.

That production gives Chelle a wide player who can attack defenders, create chances and score. His move to Brighton also gives the Super Eagles another player developing inside a Premier League environment.

Arthur Okonkwo

Okonkwo solves a different squad problem. Born in Camden, London, on September 9, 2001, the goalkeeper spent his youth career at Arsenal and represented England from under-16 to under-18 level. FIFA approved his switch to Nigeria on April 6, 2026.

His club career has been built around regular football. Okonkwo joined Wrexham after loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz and played a major role as the Welsh club moved up the English league system. He helped Wrexham achieve successive promotions into the Championship.

He made his Nigeria debut against Zimbabwe at The Valley on May 26. He then kept another clean sheet against Jamaica four days later as Nigeria won the Unity Cup.

Okonkwo’s presence gives Chelle another goalkeeper to compete with Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye. It also gives Nigeria a tall goalkeeper who has played regularly in England and has experience of high-pressure promotion campaigns.

George Ilenikhena

Ilenikhena may be the most different player in the group.

Born in Lagos on August 16, 2006, he moved to France at the age of three and developed in the French system. He later played for Amiens and Antwerp before joining Monaco in 2024.

His breakthrough came in Europe. Monaco recorded 51 appearances, 10 goals and two assists for him before he moved to Saudi Arabia. One of his most memorable moments came in the Champions League, when he scored Monaco’s winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Barcelona.

Ilenikhena joined Al-Ittihad in 2026 and has since added another league environment to his development. This season, he has registered four goals and two assists from six appearances.

His decision is also significant because he had represented France at youth level. Nigeria now has a young attacker who developed almost entirely in Europe but has chosen to pursue a senior international career with the Super Eagles.

Chelle can use him as another option in attack rather than relying only on established forwards. At 20, Ilenikhena also gives Nigeria a player whose international career could develop alongside the coach’s longer-term squad plans.