Eric Chelle Set to Invite Two New Players to Super Eagles for Jordan Tournament
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is reportedly preparing to invite two new players to the Nigerian national team squad in March 2026. This development comes as Nigeria prepares to participate in a four-nation invitational tournament in Amman, Jordan, where they will face the national teams of Jordan and Iran from March 27 to 31, 2026.
Super Eagles Return to Action After AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles will reconvene for the first time in 2026 following their bronze medal victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they defeated Egypt to secure third place. This tournament in Jordan marks Nigeria's return to international football after that continental success.
According to reports from OwnGoal Nigeria, Chelle is expected to announce his squad in the coming days, with two new faces likely to receive their first invitations to the national team setup. This continues the coach's pattern of introducing fresh talent, having previously invited six new players during the AFCON 2025 campaign.
Defensive Reinforcement with Nwaiwu
Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu is expected to earn his maiden Super Eagles call-up. The 24-year-old joined the Turkish club in January 2026 from Austrian side Wolfsberger and has quickly established himself as a regular starter.
Nwaiwu's recent performances have been impressive:
- Featured in eight matches for Trabzonspor across league and cup competitions
- Completed 90 minutes in seven of those appearances
- Kept two clean sheets since his arrival in Turkey
- Played 24 matches in all competitions this season including his time at Wolfsberger
His inclusion comes at a crucial time with regular defenders Benjamin Fredrick and Semi Ajayi still recovering from injuries that will keep them out of the Jordan tournament.
Goalkeeping Options Expand with Okonkwo
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo represents the second potential new addition to the Super Eagles squad. The 23-year-old received FIFA clearance in January 2026 to switch his international allegiance from England to Nigeria, making him eligible for selection.
Okonkwo has been in excellent form for Wrexham this season:
- Featured in 35 matches across all competitions
- Kept nine clean sheets for the Welsh club
- Helped Wrexham in their push for Premier League promotion
His potential invitation comes as first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali remains without a club after terminating his contract with South African side Chippa United following AFCON 2025. Okonkwo would compete with current options Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie for the starting position.
Chelle's Future and NFF Response
Despite ongoing discussions about his future with the Nigerian Football Federation, Eric Chelle continues to prepare the team for the upcoming tournament. The NFF has responded to Chelle's 19-point demand for a new contract through its general secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, expressing confidence that the coach will fulfill the final year of his current agreement.
The federation remains calm about the managerial situation while Chelle focuses on squad preparation for the Jordan tournament. This will be an important opportunity for the new players to impress as Nigeria builds toward future competitions.
Maduka Okoye, who declined the AFCON 2025 invitation to focus on his club after serving a two-month suspension, could also make a return to the squad, providing additional goalkeeping depth alongside the potential new additions.
