Victor Osimhen Omitted from Super Eagles Squad for March Friendlies
Super Eagles star striker Victor Osimhen has been left out of Nigeria's squad for the upcoming international friendly matches against Jordan and Iran in March. Manager Eric Chelle announced his squad selection, which notably excluded several key players including Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina.
Strategic Omission for Player Recovery
The exclusion of Victor Osimhen from the Super Eagles squad raised immediate questions among Nigerian football fans when the list was first announced. However, reports have since clarified that the Galatasaray striker was deliberately omitted to allow him time to recover fully from persistent physical issues.
According to sources close to the team management, Osimhen has been playing with a thigh problem for several months, and the decision was made to give him proper rest during the international break. This strategic move came before the striker suffered a separate hand injury during Galatasaray's 4-0 Champions League loss to Liverpool.
Other Notable Absences from the Squad
Eric Chelle's squad selection reflects a broader strategy of managing player fitness and recovery periods. Several other key players were excluded for similar recovery reasons:
- Stanley Nwabali: The goalkeeper has been without a club since leaving Chippa United after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and was justifiably omitted from the squad.
- Ola Aina: The Nottingham Forest defender is still working toward full fitness after missing AFCON 2025 due to a hamstring injury suffered against South Africa.
- Felix Agu: Another player given the opportunity to recover fully during the international break after missing AFCON 2025 due to injury.
Additionally, AFCON 2025 debutant Ryan Alebiosu was excluded despite recently recovering from an injury suffered against Uganda, while Akinsanmiro has struggled for consistent game time since the tournament concluded.
New Faces in the Super Eagles Setup
In a significant squad refresh, Eric Chelle has dropped all six newly-invited players he took to AFCON 2025 in Morocco and instead invited three fresh talents for the March friendlies. The new inclusions represent strategic additions to the national team setup:
- Emmanuel Fernandez: The 24-year-old English-born defender has chosen to represent Nigeria over England and is expected to receive playing time in defense during the friendlies.
- Phillip Otele: The Hamburg winger has enjoyed an impressive rise from a modest club in Romania to the German Bundesliga and is expected to provide attacking options alongside established players.
- Yira Sor: The Belgium-based speedster, who previously played alongside Akor Adams at the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland, receives his first senior national team call-up.
Fernandez's Decision to Represent Nigeria
The inclusion of Emmanuel Fernandez highlights an ongoing trend of dual-nationality players choosing to represent Nigeria. Despite being born in England and eligible for both countries, Fernandez explained that he "could not say no to playing for a great footballing nation like Nigeria." His decision reflects the growing appeal of the Super Eagles program under current management.
The friendly matches against Jordan and Iran will take place in Antalya, Turkey, providing the Super Eagles with valuable preparation ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures. With established stars like Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey leading the team, Nigeria aims to build momentum while managing the fitness of key players like Victor Osimhen for more crucial matches ahead.
