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Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has handed 13 players their first senior invitations as he expands Nigeria’s talent pool ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
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Isaac James, Moses Usor and George Ilenikhena have been included in the squad for Nigeria’s 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
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The remaining newcomers are expected to feature in the international friendly against Russia, giving Chelle an opportunity to assess emerging talents.
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The players arrive from clubs across Europe and the Middle East, with backgrounds ranging from Nigerian grassroots football to established academy systems.
September 24, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Super Eagles are entering a new phase under Eric Chelle, with 13 players receiving their first senior invitations as the coach looks beyond the established stars to strengthen his options for the future.
While players such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi remain central to Nigeria’s competitive plans, Chelle has created room for a new generation of players seeking to establish themselves at international level.
The new invitees cover several positions, including goalkeeping, defence, midfield and attack. Three of them Isaac James, Moses Usor and George Ilenikhena—have been included in the squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. The others are part of the wider group being assessed ahead of the friendly against Russia.
Here is a closer look at the 13 players hoping to turn their first invitations into lasting Super Eagles careers.
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Isaac James — Versatile Defender from Alverca
At 22, Isaac James is one of the more experienced players among the newcomers. The Alverca defender primarily operates as a left-back but can also play as a wing-back or left-sided centre-back.
His football journey has taken him from Garden City Panthers through France and into Portugal, where he has earned regular opportunities with Alverca.
James’ versatility could be valuable to Chelle, particularly with Nigeria seeking greater depth on the left side of defence. His inclusion in the AFCON qualifying squad means he could make his senior debut sooner than some of the other new invitees.
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Moses Usor — Winger Arriving After a Trophy-Laden Season
Moses Usor brings considerable club experience to the group at 24. The left-footed winger primarily operates from the right flank and played an important role in LASK’s league-and-cup double in Austria.
LASK’s successful campaign also included qualification for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Usor has been included in the AFCON qualifying squad, placing him directly in contention as Nigeria prepares to face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
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George Ilenikhena — The Lagos-Born Forward with Champions League Experience
George Ilenikhena is one of the most prominent attacking additions to Chelle’s plans. Born in Lagos, the 20-year-old began his development in France with Amiens before moving to Royal Antwerp and later Monaco.
He gained experience in European competition and scored in the UEFA Champions League before joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in 2026.
Ilenikhena was eligible to represent France but has committed his international future to Nigeria. His inclusion in the AFCON squad gives him a potential route to his first senior appearance.
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Victory Akpe — Tall Centre-Back from Basel
Victory Akpe is a 19-year-old central defender who stands at approximately 1.95 metres. He progressed through European football after moving from Lithuania to Hungary before joining Swiss club Basel in 2026.
Beyond his physical presence, Akpe has developed a reputation for his ability to play out from the back.
His invitation offers a chance to see whether his technical and defensive qualities translate to senior international football.
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Samuel James — SJK Goalkeeper with Flying Eagles Experience
Samuel James, 20, plays for Finnish club SJK after progressing through Mavlon FC and representing Nigeria at youth level with the Flying Eagles.
His development from Nigerian youth football into European senior football has now earned him an opportunity within the Super Eagles setup.
The goalkeeper will face competition from more established options as he attempts to make the transition to the senior national team.
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Chibuzo Nwoko —Fulham Academy Product Who Chose Nigeria
Chibuzo Nwoko is a 20-year-old left-footed central midfielder who developed in England after spending time in Chelsea’s youth system before progressing through Fulham’s academy.
He has represented England at Under-18 level but has now switched his international allegiance to Nigeria.
Nwoko offers Chelle another technically inclined midfield option. His next challenge will be adapting from youth and academy football to the intensity of the senior Super Eagles environment.
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Stephen Fumelu —Energetic Midfielder at Vendsyssel
Stephen Fumelu, also known as Stephen Michael, is a 19-year-old central midfielder who plays for Danish club Vendsyssel FF.
He joined the club in 2025 and has developed as an energetic box-to-box midfielder, offering mobility and work rate in the middle of the pitch.
His first senior invitation gives him an opportunity to demonstrate whether his qualities can be transferred to international football.
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Igor Wilfred — Norwegian League Midfielder
Igor Wilfred, 21, plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Norwegian club Kristiansund.
He has established himself as a regular starter in the Norwegian Eliteserien, giving him experience of senior European football before his first invitation to the Super Eagles.
Wilfred will now look to show Chelle what he can add to a midfield already containing established players such as Ndidi, Iwobi and Frank Onyeka.
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Abdulrasaq Popoola —Physically Imposing Al-Wasl Midfielder
Abdulrasaq Popoola, also known as Ridwan Popoola, is a 19-year-old defensive midfielder standing at approximately 1.91 metres.
He began his journey in Nigerian grassroots football before moving to Hungary, where he featured for Kisvárda. He subsequently joined Al-Wasl in the United Arab Emirates in 2026.
Popoola has established himself as a regular starter for the club, and his physical presence could offer Chelle another option in the centre of midfield.
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Mubarak Suleiman — Slavia Prague’s Promising Young Creator
Mubarak Suleiman is one of the youngest players in the group at 19. The attacking midfielder emerged from Abuja-based Right2Win Academy before joining Czech club Slavia Prague.
He attracted attention through his performances in the UEFA Youth League and also scored after making his senior debut for Slavia.
Suleiman recently extended his contract with the club until 2031, demonstrating the long-term confidence placed in his development. His Super Eagles invitation now presents another opportunity to advance his career.
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Peter Edokpolor — Benfica’s Tall Forward
Peter Edokpolor is a 19-year-old forward who can operate as a centre-forward or from the wing. He joined Portuguese giants Benfica from Galadima FC and has progressed through the club’s Under-23 and B teams.
The youngster has also received exposure to Benfica’s first-team environment.
His invitation allows Nigeria to assess his potential outside the club’s development structure and determine how his qualities could translate to senior international football.
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Umar Abubakar — Forward Who Scored 21 Goals at Jong Gent
Umar Abubakar is a 20-year-old forward who currently plays for Portuguese club Famalicão. The approximately 1.90-metre striker previously represented Nigeria at Under-17 level.
During a loan spell at Jong Gent, Abubakar scored 21 goals, performances that helped him secure a permanent move to Famalicão.
His goalscoring record has now earned him a first senior invitation. With competition for attacking positions already intense, Abubakar will need to demonstrate that his finishing ability can be reproduced at international level.
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Umar Abdullahi — Czech-Based Striker with a Strong Youth Record
Umar Abdullahi, also known as Abdullahi Umar, completes the group of new invitees. The 19-year-old striker plays for Czech club Hradec Králové.
He previously attracted attention after scoring 25 goals in a single Under-19 season before progressing into senior football. He has since featured in domestic matches and European qualifying fixtures.
His first senior invitation represents another step in his development, with the striker now facing the challenge of adapting to the demands of the Super Eagles.
A Wider Talent Pool for Chelle
Chelle’s decision to invite 13 new players reflects his intention to broaden Nigeria’s options beyond the established core. Isaac James, Moses Usor and George Ilenikhena have been given an immediate opportunity to compete for places in the AFCON qualifiers, while the Russia friendly will provide a wider platform for other emerging talents.
Nigeria will host Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. The Russia friendly on October 6 will then give Chelle an additional opportunity to assess players who could become important to the national team in future international windows.
For the 13 newcomers, the invitations are only the beginning. Their next challenge is to train alongside established Super Eagles players, adapt to senior international football and convince Chelle that they deserve a long-term place in Nigeria’s plans
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
