The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled a 26-man Super Eagles squad for this month’s double header international friendly games against Ghana and Mali in Marrakech, Morocco.
The invited players were announced on the NFF X handle on Saturday afternoon.
Two games this March for our @NGSuperEagles in Marrakech #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/bQsWcakX0o
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) March 9, 2024
Nathan Tella, Gabriel Osho, and Benjamin Tanimu got their first Super Eagles call-up.
There is a return to the team for the trio of Cyriel Dessers, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Wilfried Ndidi, meanwhile Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu failed to make the cut.
Ahmed Musa, William Troost-Ekong, Zaidu Sanusi, and Victor Boniface were not invited to the team due to injuries.
Super Eagles March International Friendly squad in full
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus), Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC, Nigeria).
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Jamilu Collins (Cardiff, Wales), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista, Portugal), Semi Ajayi (West Brom, England), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista, Portugal), Gabriel Osho (Luton, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli, Italy), Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania).
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Wilfried Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium).
Forwards: Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France), Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain), Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England), Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland).
The Super Eagles will take on Ghana on Friday, 22 March 2024 before taking on Mali on Tuesday, 26 March.
Both friendly games will be played at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, Morocco.
Last month, the Super Eagles got to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations where they lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast.
It's important to mention that Nigeria's senior national football team are currently without a head coach after Jose Peseiro's contract expired on 29 February 2024.
However, according to reports from The Cable, Finidi George will manage the team on interim bases and will be in charge as they take on the Black Stars of Ghana and the Eagles of Mali this month.
The newly scheduled friendly was arranged after Nigeria’s planned encounter against Argentina fell through due to visa issues.
These two friendlies are to prepare the team ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June where Nigeria will take on South Africa's Bafana Bafana on home soil before travelling to take on Benin Republic.
Both matches will be played on 3 June 2024, and 10 June 2024 respectively.
This article was most recently revised and updated 11 months ago