Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has dropped Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Iheanacho, Raphael Onyedika and three other senior players from Nigeria’s 24-man squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania, Footynaija reports.
Nigeria will host the Taifa Stars at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return leg on November 17.
Iheanacho’s omission is one of the major talking points, with the striker recently finding his scoring touch at club level.
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The former Leicester City and Sevilla forward has been in good form, but that has not been enough to earn him a place in Chelle’s latest squad.
Paul Onuachu and Maduka Okoye have also been left out. Okoye’s absence has opened the door for Francis Uzoho, who joins Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo as the three goalkeepers.
Onuachu has also missed out, with Chelle opting for Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Usor in attack.
Onyeka and Onyedika are the other midfielders who have been dropped. Chelle has instead called up Alexander Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Yusuf Alhassan, Tochukwu Nnadi, Samson Tijani, Suleiman Mubarak and Dele-Bashiru Oluwafisayo.
Victor Osimhen is another high-profile absentee, but his absence is due to injury. The Galatasaray striker is recovering from a left knee problem sustained while playing for the Turkish champions.
Nigeria will face Tanzania twice in four days, with Chelle looking to get his side off to a good start in Uyo before the return fixture in Dar es Salaam.
