Super Eagles squad vs Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau: 5 Chelle decisions that stand out

Eric Chelle has named his Super Eagles squad for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, Afrik-Foot reports.

The squad brings back a familiar goalkeeper, rewards a young defender for a strong start to the season and gives Nigeria another promising attacking option.

Chelle has also responded to an injury setback by replacing Femi Azeez with Moses Usor, while Victor Osimhen has received an invitation despite his recent groin problem.

Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

Here are five decisions that stand out from Chelle’s squad.

Nwabali makes his first Super Eagles return since AFCON 2025

Stanley Nwabali is back in the Super Eagles picture for the first time since Nigeria finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

His return gives Chelle another experienced option between the posts after a long spell away from international duty.

Nwabali played a major role in Nigeria’s run to the AFCON bronze medal. In the third-place play-off against Egypt in Casablanca on January 17, 2026, he saved penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush as Nigeria won the shootout 4-2 after a 0-0 draw.

CAF named him Player of the Match for that performance.

His club situation also changed during the break. Chippa United confirmed his return in July after he had left the South African club in February. He then returned to competitive football in August, keeping a clean sheet against Golden Arrows and winning the Man of the Match award.

The 30-year-old now has another chance to compete for the Super Eagles’ starting position as Nigeria begin their new AFCON qualifying campaign.

Isaac James earns his first Super Eagles call-up

Chelle has rewarded Isaac James after an excellent start to the 2026/27 season with Alverca.

The 22-year-old left-back has started all six of Alverca’s Liga Portugal matches this season, playing 514 minutes and recording two assists.

His performances have come at a useful moment for Nigeria. Zaidu Sanusi is injured, leaving Chelle needing another option at left-back.

James has already shown that he can handle regular top-flight football in Portugal. He played the full 90 minutes against Porto on the opening weekend, then supplied an assist in the 2-2 draw with Estrela da Amadora.

He added another assist against Santa Clara on August 29 and played 79 minutes in Alverca’s 3-1 win away to Nacional on September 12.

His versatility adds another layer to the selection. James can operate at left-back, left wing-back and in a more advanced left-sided role.

Chelle has therefore picked a player based on current club involvement rather than reputation. The Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau games could give James his first opportunity to show that his strong club form can translate to the international level.

Nigeria win the Ilenikhena battle with France

George Ilenikhena’s inclusion closes another chapter in Nigeria’s long pursuit of the Lagos-born forward.

The Al-Ittihad striker grew up in France after moving there as a child. His football development took place largely in the Paris region before he joined Amiens and later moved to Belgium and Monaco.

Nigeria’s interest became more serious under Chelle.

Ilenikhena was initially reluctant to commit to the Super Eagles. He was left out of Nigeria’s March plans after asking not to be considered while he weighed his international future and his hopes of representing France. Still, Chelle kept the contact going.

Reports in July said the striker had chosen Nigeria after discussions with the coach. Ilenikhena had not been capped by France at senior level, meaning his decision did not require the formal one-time switch process associated with players who have made binding senior appearances for another country.

The 20-year-old has since taken another step towards Nigeria by joining Chelle’s squad.

He moved to Al-Ittihad in February 2026 and has quickly become one of the young Nigerian forwards attracting attention in Saudi Arabia.

Chelle was looking for another young striker to develop alongside Osimhen. Ilenikhena’s arrival gives him that option.

Moses Usor replaces injured Femi Azeez

Chelle has reacted quickly to Femi Azeez’s injury by bringing in Moses Usor.

The LASK forward gets his first senior Super Eagles invitation after producing a strong run of form in Austria.

Usor was one of LASK’s key players last season as the club ended a 61-year wait for the Austrian league title and also won the Austrian Cup. He finished the campaign with 15 goals and five assists in 35 matches.

His start to the new season has also been encouraging. The 24-year-old was central to LASK’s extraordinary Champions League play-off comeback against Celtic on August 25. After losing the first leg 3-0 in Glasgow, LASK won the return match 5-1 after extra time in Linz to advance 5-4 on aggregate.

Usor scored LASK’s equaliser in the 32nd minute and later provided an assist as the Austrian side completed the comeback.

He has also contributed three goals and five assists in 11 matches this season. His ability to play wide or through the middle gives Chelle another attacking option after Azeez was ruled out with a muscle problem.

Osimhen gets the call despite his injury

The most delicate decision concerns Victor Osimhen. Nigeria’s leading striker suffered a right-groin injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over Istanbul Basaksehir on September 4. Osimhen scored after 16 minutes but was forced off in the 33rd minute.

Galatasaray later said medical examinations showed a moderate-to-advanced strain with bleeding in the right groin area. The club initially said treatment was under way and that Osimhen was expected to return after the international break.

That appeared to rule him out of Nigeria’s September qualifiers. The situation then changed.

Galatasaray received Nigeria’s formal invitation for Osimhen, placing him in Chelle’s selection group despite the injury. Turkish journalist Ali Naci Küçük also reported that Galatasaray expected Osimhen to travel for the club’s match away to Trabzonspor and could use him if necessary.

His selection, therefore, does not mean he is certain to play against Madagascar or Guinea-Bissau. It means Chelle has kept his leading striker in the squad while the medical situation develops.

That is significant because Osimhen has been one of Nigeria’s main attacking figures in recent years and is only two goals short of Rashidi Yekini’s national scoring record.

Nigeria will need to make a final call on his involvement based on his recovery and medical clearance.

Nigeria open their Group L campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days later.