Who is Philip Otele? Hamburg star set for his first Super Eagles call-up ahead of Jordan, Iran

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has handed a first-ever senior national team call-up to in-form winger Philip Otele ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies, Afrik-Foot understands.

The 26-year-old, who recently joined Hamburger SV during the winter transfer window, is expected to be part of the squad for matches against Iran and Jordan. An official invitation letter has already been sent to his German club, confirming the coach’s interest in taking a closer look at the forward.

Otele had previously been named in Nigeria’s large provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but he understood at the time that breaking into the final list would be difficult.

Chelle made it clear that the winger needed to prove himself further, especially in friendly matches, before earning a competitive debut.

Now, that opportunity has arrived. The call-up shows that Chelle is serious about expanding his attacking options and rewarding players who are performing well in Europe.

Otele’s start to life in Germany has been steady. Since his move, he has started five out of seven possible Bundesliga matches and provided one assist. Although he missed a recent training session due to a minor illness, the issue is not considered serious, and he is expected to return quickly.

Philip Otele: From Port Harcourt to Europe

Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Philip Otele always kept his options open with football and pursuing his education. As a teenager, Otele had a brief training spell with Arsenal, showing early promise.

However, his path into professional football took a different route. While studying at Teesside University in England, he played for a lower-league side, Wolviston FC, between 2017 and 2019.

His big break came when he moved to Lithuania to join Kauno Žalgiris. There, he developed into a regular starter, scoring goals and helping the team compete strongly in the league.

Otele’s performances earned him a move to Romania with UTA Arad, where he continued to improve.

But it was at CFR Cluj that he truly exploded into the spotlight. During the 2023–24 season, he scored 18 league goals, finishing as the joint top scorer and attracting attention from clubs across Europe.

A transfer to Al Wahda followed, but his time there was short. He soon returned to Europe, joining FC Basel, where he made an immediate impact by scoring key goals and helping the club win the Swiss league title.

In early 2026, Otele made another big step, moving to Hamburger SV in the German Bundesliga. There, he has continued to grow, adapting to a faster and more demanding style of football.

Known for his speed, strength, and ability to cut inside from the wing, Otele can play on either flank or even as a striker. His style is direct and exciting, making him a difficult player for defenders to handle.

Now, with his first Super Eagles call-up, Otele’s journey has reached a new level and he will look to impress as Nigeria trade tackles with Jordan and Iran.

The Super Eagles will battle with World Cup-bound Iran on March 27 before locking horns with Jordan four days later. The two international friendlies will be played in Antalya, Turkey, after the United States-Israel-Iran crisis in the Middle East forced a change in its initial venue.