Chelle excludes Nwabali, names 23-man squad for friendly

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has excluded first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from his 23-man squad for upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan, highlighting uncertainty over the shot-stopper’s future

Nwabali’s omission comes after his sudden departure from Chippa United in February, leaving him clubless.

Once a key figure in Nigeria’s recent campaigns, his absence now opens the door for other goalkeepers to stake their claim for the national team spot.

The 23-man squad for the friendlies is as follows:

Goalkeepers:
Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders:
Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)

Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany), Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium)