AFCON Qualifiers: Injured Osimhen In as Ilenikhena Gets First Call-Up

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has included injured striker Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles squad for the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while George Ilenikhena has received his first senior invitation.

Osimhen has been sidelined for about two weeks after suffering a right groin injury while playing for Galatasaray. Despite his absence from recent club matches, Chelle retained the striker in the 24-man squad for Nigeria’s meetings with Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

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

The inclusion of Osimhen means his fitness will be closely monitored as preparations begin. His availability for the qualifiers will depend on his recovery and assessment by the national team’s medical staff.

Ilenikhena’s selection is one of the major talking points from Chelle’s squad announcement. The Al-Ittihad forward, who previously represented France at youth level, has committed his international future to Nigeria and is now in line to make his senior debut.

Portugal-based defender Isaac James and LASK forward Moses Usor have also received their first invitations to the senior national team.

The squad retains several experienced players, including captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.

Goalkeepers Arthur Okonkwo and Maduka Okoye complete the goalkeeping options, while defenders Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the squad. Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Chibuike Nwaiwu are also included.

In midfield, Chelle selected Ndidi, Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika. The attacking group features Osimhen, Lookman, Simon, Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Ilenikhena and Usor.

Nigeria are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania. Since Tanzania already have automatic qualification as hosts, the qualifying race in the group has added significance for the other teams.

Chelle has also prepared a separate squad for Nigeria’s October 6 international friendly against Russia in Nizhny Novgorod.

For now, attention will centre on the AFCON qualifiers, with Osimhen’s recovery and Ilenikhena’s potential debut among the talking points as Nigeria begin their campaign. Chelle will assess Osimhen before qualifiers begin.