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•Names Ndidi, 22 others
By JOE APU
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left out star striker Victor Osimhen from his 23-man squad for this month’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.
Osimhen’s absence headlines a list that otherwise features several established names, including captain Wilfred Ndidi, midfield creator Alex Iwobi, and in-form winger Ademola Lookman.
The omission of the Napoli forward—widely regarded as Nigeria’s most lethal striker in recent years—has raised questions about Chelle’s tactical direction and squad priorities ahead of crucial international assignments later in the year.
While the Nigeria Football Federation did not immediately provide detailed reasons for Osimhen’s exclusion, sources suggest the decision could be linked to fitness concerns, workload management, or a deliberate attempt by Chelle to assess alternative attacking options.
In Osimhen’s absence, the coach appears set to experiment with a new-look forward line, offering opportunities to fringe players and emerging talents eager to stake a claim in the national team setup with forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu.
Chelle has also called Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, midfielder Frank Onyeka.
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Despite the shock exclusion, the coach retained a core of experienced players such as Ndidi and Iwobi indicating a balance between continuity and transition, as Chelle begins to stamp his authority on the team.
Also overlooked were Wolves striker Arokodare, Ola Aina among others.
The Super Eagles will take on Iran’s senior men football team in Antalya on Friday, 27th March (with kick off set for 4pm local time), and then the Jordan senior men national team on Tuesday, 31st March (with kick off set for 8pm local time).
Despite the shock exclusion, the retained core of experienced players such as Ndidi and Iwobi indicates a balance between continuity and transition, as Chelle begins to stamp his authority on the team.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Iran and Jordan in friendly matches aimed at fine-tuning tactics, evaluating personnel, and building cohesion within the squad.
However, all eyes will remain on how Nigeria copes without Osimhen—whose goals have often been the difference in tight encounters—and whether this bold selection call signals a temporary absence or a deeper shift in the team’s attacking hierarchy.
