5 Super Eagles stars fighting to return for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Super Eagles’ preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have opened the door for five familiar names who have spent different periods away from the Nigeria national team, Afrik-Foot reports.

Benjamin Fredrick, Ola Aina and Stanley Nwabali are reportedly set to return to the squad, while Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi are still waiting for confirmation of their places in the final 23-man list.

Eric Chelle’s team will begin its qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later. The selection comes at an important point for Nigeria, with Chelle trying to build a squad that can start the new AFCON cycle strongly after the Super Eagles finished third at the 2025 tournament in Morocco.

The three confirmed returns have different stories behind them. Fredrick has spent eight months recovering from a knee injury, Aina missed the AFCON after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Nigeria, and Nwabali spent several months without a club before returning to Chippa United in July.

Iheanacho and Awoniyi face a different problem. Both are on the provisional list, but neither has been confirmed for the final squad. Iheanacho has made a strong case with his goals for Bursaspor after a long absence from international football, while Awoniyi has worked his way back into the picture after fitness problems and missing the June Unity Cup squad.

Super Eagles players battling to return for Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau games

Benjamin Fredrick

Fredrick is one of the clearest comeback stories in the group. The Brentford defender has not played for the Super Eagles since November 2025 after a knee injury ended his loan spell at Belgian club FCV Dender.

The 21-year-old returned to competitive football this summer, as he played for Brentford’s Under-21 side. He is expected to be part of Chelle’s squad for the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau games.

The former Flying Eagles defender had previously become an important player in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign, starting the final four matches of the qualifying group in September, October and November.

His return gives Chelle another young defender at a time when the coach is integrating new centre-backs like Chibuike Nwaiwu and Emmanuel Fernandez into the Super Eagles.

Ola Aina

Aina’s return is also expected after his long absence from Nigeria’s squad. The Nottingham Forest full-back missed the 2025 AFCON after an injury suffered while playing for Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers.

The former Torino man injured his hamstring in the 10th minute of Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in September 2025. The injury ruled him out for a period and kept him from taking part in the AFCON campaign.

Before that setback, Aina had established himself as one of Forest’s most reliable defenders. He started 35 of their 38 Premier League games in the 2024/25 season and scored twice as Forest finished seventh. The club later extended his contract to June 2028.

His return gives Chelle an experienced option at full-back. Aina is also closing in on 50 Nigeria caps, having earned 48 caps so far.

Stanley Nwabali

Nwabali’s return could produce one of the most interesting selection battles in the squad. The goalkeeper has been away from the Super Eagles since the AFCON, where he helped Nigeria win the bronze medal.

His last major tournament ended with another standout performance. Nwabali saved penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush as Nigeria beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties in Casablanca to finish third.

His absence from the national team was linked partly to his club situation. Nwabali left Chippa United in February 2026 after requesting his release and spent several months without a club. He returned to the South African side in July after the two sides agreed on his comeback.

Chelle now has a three-way goalkeeping contest involving Nwabali, Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo. Nwabali could likely be back in the Super Eagles fold, but his return does not automatically guarantee the starting shirt.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho has made the provisional list, but his return is not yet certain. The former Leicester City striker has been away from the Super Eagles for about two years and needs to make the final 23-man squad before his comeback becomes official.

His recent club form, however, has made the decision harder to ignore. Iheanacho joined Turkish second-tier club Bursaspor in July 2026 on a contract running until June 2029.

He has responded with goals. The ex-Manchester City star has scored eight goals and provided two assists in six games for Bursaspor.

His international absence followed a difficult club spell. Sevilla ended his contract last year but he turned it around with a successful spell in Scotland with Celtic.

Iheanacho now has a strong argument based on form, but Chelle has several attacking options competing for limited places.

Taiwo Awoniyi

Awoniyi is also waiting for the final decision. The Nottingham Forest striker was included in the provisional group but was not part of Nigeria’s Unity Cup squad in May and June.

His absence from that tournament was linked to a planned minor surgery after the Premier League season.

He had given Chelle something to consider before that decision. Awoniyi scored twice against Chelsea in his 100th appearance for Forest and finished the season with a late run of appearances.

His last Super Eagles appearances came during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but he has had to fight for opportunities in a crowded attacking group. Chelle has options such as Osimhen, Lookman, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Paul Onuachu and others.

Awoniyi therefore has a route back, but unlike Fredrick, Aina and Nwabali, his place is not yet secure. The final 23-man squad will decide whether the Forest striker gets another chance to lead Nigeria’s attack in the September qualifiers.