The headline names on Eric Chelle’s final 28-man AFCON squad were easy calls, with most of the usual faces booked for Morocco, but some drama came from the stars that didn’t make the cut, Footynaija.com reports.
In the headline twist of the night, Maduka Okoye was dropped. Out-of-form Victor Boniface understandably didn’t make it either. Yet one of the biggest talking points was the inclusion of Muhammed Usman, the 31-year-old midfielder many had stopped expecting to see in a major national team tournament.
The return of the Israel-based star is shocking because he had not featured for the Super Eagles in a long time. Yet Chelle has called him back for this tournament. So who exactly is the 31 year old midfielder and why has he forced his way back into the national spotlight at this stage of his career?
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Club career and the journey across continents
Yusuf Muhammed Usman Edu was born on 2 March 1994 in Kaduna. Street football shaped his instincts early on, and the northern Nigerian style left a clear mark on his game.
By the time he joined Taraba, he wasn’t just another name on the squad, he became club captain at just 18. It reinforced his early identity as a midfielder who thrived on leadership and took charge of big moments.
Before that move, the youngster first turned out for Ranchers Bees. His early promise saw him rise through the local scene, earning a switch to União Madeira in Portugal. But things didn’t click as he couldn’t break into the first team and had to chart a new course.
The situation led him to Sarpsborg in Norway, where he saw more minutes. From there, the footballer moved around Europe. He featured for clubs in Armenia and Russia, including Pyunik and Tambov. Then he switched to Shakhter Karagandy in Kazakhstan.
Every chapter added something new. He experienced new tactical demands, played under different managers and dealt with the pressure of earning another move.
Israel soon became the stage where he found his footing. He featured for Hapoel Hadera, moved to Sektzia Nes Ziona, and later suited up for Maccabi Bnei Reineh, all spells that helped him rebuild confidence and consistency in the Israeli Premier League.
Now, he’s with Ironi Tiberias, having joined ahead of the 2025/26 season. Transfermarkt lists him as a midfield regular, donning the number 10 shirt.
International story and the road back
His standout moment in Nigerian colours came at the Rio 2016 Olympics, where he was part of the U23 team that battled their way to a bronze medal.
That group remains a fond memory for many because it mixed youthful hunger with senior guidance. Mikel John Obi wore the armband and carried the team through pressure moments, while William Troost Ekong, now retired from the national team setup, anchored the back line with the authority of a future Super Eagles captain.
Notably, two years later, the Israel-based star produced a moment of magic in a friendly against Atletico Madrid in Uyo, where he weaved through defenders before slotting home a composed finish. The goal earned him national attention, but a regular senior team spot didn’t follow. Fast forward to December 2025, Eric Chelle has revived his Super Eagles story in a decision that has many talking.
