AFCON 2027: Nigeria without Victor Osimhen as Suleiman Mubarak earns first Super Eagles call-up
Nigeria coach Éric Chelle on Saturday 7 November named a 24-player squad for the double-header against Tanzania in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The Super Eagles will be without star striker Victor Osimhen, who has a left knee injury. By contrast, 19-year-old midfielder Suleiman Mubarak is included in the group for the first time.
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Victor Osimhen's absence is the main talking point of this squad. The Galatasaray striker was injured on Tuesday in the Champions League match against Stuttgart, which his club won 2-0.
He suffered a sprained left knee and underwent arthroscopy to clean the joint. He is expected to be out for at least three weeks, which rules him out of both November international fixtures.
To cover for his absence, Éric Chelle can count on the likes of Tolu Arokodare and Taiwo Awoniyi up front. Another notable inclusion is Slavia Prague player Suleiman Mubarak, who has been called up to the senior national team for the first time. The 19-year-old midfielder joins the likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is also missing from the list. Unlike Osimhen, his absence is down to the coach's decision.
A key double-header for the Super Eagles
Nigeria will face Tanzania on 13 and 17 November in matchdays three and four of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The Super Eagles will first host their opponents in Uyo before travelling for the return leg.
After two matchdays, the Nigerians are second in Group L with three points, behind Guinea-Bissau. They will therefore need to pick up points to improve their position in the race for qualification. Already qualified as hosts of the next AFCON, Tanzania will approach both matches without the same pressure in the chase for qualifying places.
Nigeria's 24-man squad
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Bewene Abdullahi (Banik Ostrava).
Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Fulham), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Yusuf Alhassan (New England Revolution), Tochukwu Nnadi (Marseille), Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova), Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio).
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax), Akor Adams (Venezia), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City), Moses Usor (LASK).