Chelle Drops Osimhen and Okoye, Names 24-Man Super Eagles Squad for Tanzania Double-Header

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left out goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and striker Victor Osimhen from his 24-man squad for Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Tanzania.

The squad was announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Saturday. Francis Uzoho returns to the fold as Okoye's replacement. Chelle has also given a maiden invitation to midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi, while recalling Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Yusuf Alhassan, Samson Tijani and Suleiman Mubarak.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi keeps his place, but Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka are among the midfielders omitted. In attack, the coach has retained several players from the previous international window, with Ademola Lookman and Tolu Arokodare among the options. Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Moses Usor and Taiwo Awoniyi also made the list.

Nigeria will host Tanzania in Uyo on November 13 before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return fixture on November 17. The Super Eagles are three points behind Guinea-Bissau in Group L, and only the group winners are guaranteed a place at the tournament.

Full Super Eagles squad:

• Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic).
• Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Benjamin Fredrick (Brentford), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham), Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava).
• Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Yusuf Alhassan (New England Revolution), Tochukwu Nnadi (Marseille), Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague).
• Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Akor Adams (Venezia FC), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC), Moses Usor (LASK), Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry FC).