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Chelle drops Osimhen, Lookman from Super Eagles squad to play Ghana, Russia [Full list]
The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has left Victor Osimhen and Ademola out of his squad for play Ghana in the Unity Cup.
This was confirmed after the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, released the list of invited players on Wednesday afternoon.
Osimhen and Lookman will also miss Nigeria’s games against Russia.
However, there is a return for goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Iheanacho and captain Ahmed Musa.
The NPFL contingent includes Junior Harrison Nduka, captain of both Remo Stars and the CHAN-bound Super Eagles B, alongside Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Collins Ugwueze (Enugu Rangers), Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars), Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City).
Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), and Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United) are also included in the team.
These home-based stars will compete for spots against established names like Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, Tolu Arokodare, and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Musa will lead the team to the Unity, which will be played from May 26 to 31. The four-nation competition features Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Russia will host Nigeria in an international friendly on June 6, at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
The game will be the first-ever senior international meeting between the two countries.
Chelle, aiming to test new players and tactics ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, stated that the tournament “will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad before the matches in September and October.”
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams believes they are getting closer to beating the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
South Africa have recorded just two wins in 17 outings against Nigeria.
Hugo Broos’ side came close to beating the Super Eagles in their last two games but still fell short.
The Super Eagles triumphed 4-3 on penalities in their semi-final encounter at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in their last meeting in September 2024.
Williams is hoping they will finally end the run this time around.
“We’re getting closer and closer to beating them. We saw it at AFCON, we saw it when we played them away in Nigeria. Hopefully, we can take that extra step and change the narrative,” the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper told reporters.
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has disagreed with his South Africa counterpart Hugo Broos over the venue of both sides’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
South Africa will host Nigeria in a crucial World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Broos had criticized Free State Stadium, insisting that the pitch is not good enough.
“I think it is a very good stadium. This is a big game for us and South Africa and we want to come and do our best game as we can,” Chelle said at his pre-match press conference.
“We are focused on only game. We don’t think about what we played two days ago. We are focused on our game plan.
“My players are motivated about this game. We are happy to play a game like that, this is a big game.”
Nigeria defeated Rwanda in their last game, while South Africa won against Lesotho.
South Africa winger, Oswin Appollis is anticipating a difficult test against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Ekwutosblog reports.
Bafana Bafana, and Super Eagles will clash in a 2026 FIFA World Cup matchday eight encounter at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
The hosts are closing in on their first appearance at the mundial since the 2010 edition which they hosted.
Hugo Broos’ side sit atop of Group A with 16 points, with Nigeria, who occupy third spot, six points adrift.
Appollis reckoned the Super Eagles have so much quality in their team but insisted they are ready for the fight.
“It’s going to be an exciting game but a difficult one. Nigeria have so much quality, but we’re ready for the fight,” Appollis was quoted by the Sowetan.
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