Super Eagles vs Tanzania: 4 players who could miss Chelle’s AFCON q roster

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is expected to announce his squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania in the coming days.

The three-time African champions will be hoping to get their qualifying campaign back on track after suffering a disappointing setback in their previous outing.

Nigeria started their campaign with a narrow 2-1 victory over Madagascar, with George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor both scoring on their debuts to help the Super Eagles secure a comeback win.

However, they suffered a major disappointment in their second match when Guinea-Bissau recorded a shocking 3-0 victory.

The result has left Nigeria with just three points from their opening two matches, three points behind the leaders, leaving them with little room for further mistakes in their quest to qualify for the tournament.

With only one available qualifying spot in Group L because of co-host Tanzania’s automatic qualification, the Super Eagles cannot afford another setback. They will need to win both matches against Tanzania later this month to put their campaign back on track.

Ahead of the crucial encounters, several players could earn their first call-ups under Chelle, while others who featured in previous squads could be left out.

4 players who could miss out on the Super Eagles squad for the Tanzania double-header

1. Samuel Chukwueze

AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze is expected to miss Nigeria’s crucial fixtures this month because of injury.

The 27-year-old suffered a left hip injury during Milan’s 3-2 Serie A victory over Atalanta in October and has since undergone surgery. The injury is expected to keep him out of action for around three months and his return could come in the early months of 2027.

With his recovery expected to take some time, Chukwueze is almost certain to be left out of Chelle’s squad after featuring in previous Super Eagles selections.

His absence will be a setback for the national team, especially given his ability to provide creativity, pace and attacking options from the wings.

2. Moses Usor

Super Eagles forward Moses Usor could also miss out on the squad despite making an impressive start to his international career.

The 24-year-old made his debut against Madagascar and scored the winning goal to help Nigeria secure all three points. His strike also placed him among the growing list of players who have scored on their Super Eagles debuts.

However, Usor has only recently returned to action after recovering from an injury and has featured in just a few matches since his comeback.

Although his goal against Madagascar showed what he could offer the national team, his recent lack of playing time could work against him when Chelle makes his selection.

The Super Eagles coach may decide against taking a risk on the forward, particularly with Nigeria needing players who are fully fit and ready for two important fixtures.

3. Ryan Alebiosu

Another player who could miss out is Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu. The full-back was absent from Nigeria’s previous squad and could find it difficult to force his way back into Chelle’s plans for the Tanzania encounters.

Competition for places in the right-back position is another factor that could work against him, with Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Abdullahi Bewene among the options available to the Super Eagles coach.

Alebiosu’s absence from the previous squad could also mean he has some ground to make up, especially with Chelle having several alternatives to consider ahead of the double-header.

While the Blackburn Rovers defender remains an option for the national team, he could once again be overlooked as the coach looks to settle on his preferred players for the crucial qualifiers.

4. Paul Onuachu

Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu is another player who could be left out of Chelle’s squad for the Tanzania matches.

The 32-year-old enjoyed an excellent campaign last season, finishing as one of the Turkish Super Lig’s joint top scorers after finding the net 22 times in the league.

However, he has struggled to maintain that level of performance this season, with his goalscoring numbers dropping significantly.

His recent lack of consistency could make it difficult for him to secure a place in the squad, particularly with competition for attacking positions in the Super Eagles.

Onuachu has also had to deal with time on the sidelines, having missed matches through injury, which has affected his ability to build momentum.

With several attacking options available to Chelle, including forwards who could offer different qualities in the final third, the Trabzonspor striker could find himself among the players left out of the squad.