Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has handed out first senior invitations to 13 players as he continues to broaden his options ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international fixtures.

The new invitees, drawn largely from clubs in Europe and the Middle East, include defenders, midfielders, goalkeepers and forwards.

Some of the players have been included in Nigeria’s squad for the international friendly against Russia, while others are also part of the team for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Africans& Diaspora

Chelle is working with separate squads for the AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, and for the subsequent friendly against Russia, giving him an opportunity to assess emerging players who could become part of the senior set-up.

Here are the 13 players receiving their first senior invitations:

Isaac James

The 22-year-old Alverca defender is a versatile left-back who can also operate as a wing-back or left centre-back.

James began his career with Garden City Panthers before moving to France and later Portugal, where he has established himself as a regular starter for Alverca.

He is included in both Chelle’s wider selection and the AFCON squad.

Victory Akpe

Akpe is a 19-year-old centre-back who has enjoyed a rapid rise in European football.

The approximately 1.95m defender moved from Lithuania to Hungary before joining Swiss club Basel in 2026.

His physical presence and ability to play out from the back have earned him his first invitation to the senior national team.

Samuel James

SJK goalkeeper Samuel James is another youngster receiving his first senior call-up.

The approximately 20-year-old shot-stopper came through Mavlon FC and previously represented Nigeria at youth level with the Flying Eagles.

He has established himself in Finland and is now part of Chelle’s goalkeeping options.

Chibuzo Nwoko

Nwoko, 20, is a left-footed central midfielder who came through Fulham’s academy after spending time in Chelsea’s youth system.

He represented England at Under-18 level before switching his international allegiance to Nigeria.

The midfielder recently made his senior club debut and is now in line for his first Super Eagles appearance.

Stephen Fumelu

The 19-year-old central midfielder, also known as Stephen Michael, plays for Danish club Vendsyssel FF.

Fumelu joined the club in 2025 and is regarded as an energetic box-to-box midfielder.

His first senior call-up gives Chelle another opportunity to assess his midfield options.

Igor Wilfred

Wilfred, 21, plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Norwegian club Kristiansund.

He has established himself as a regular starter in the Norwegian Eliteserien and has now earned his first call-up to the Super Eagles.

Abdulrasaq Popoola

The 19-year-old Al-Wasl midfielder, also known as Ridwan Popoola, stands about 1.91m tall.

Popoola began his career in Nigerian grassroots football before moving to Hungary, where he featured for Kisvárda before joining Al-Wasl in 2026.

He primarily operates as a defensive midfielder and has become a regular starter for the UAE club.

Mubarak Suleiman

Suleiman, 19, plays for Czech club Slavia Prague.

The attacking midfielder emerged from the Right2Win Academy in Abuja and attracted attention with his performances in the UEFA Youth League.

He also scored on his senior debut for Slavia and recently extended his contract with the club until 2031.

He is now in line for his first senior appearance for Nigeria.

Moses Usor

The 24-year-old LASK winger is one of the more experienced players among the new invitees.

The left-footed forward mainly operates from the right wing and was an important player for LASK during their recent league-and-cup double.

Usor is also included in the squad for Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers.

George Ilenikhena

The Lagos-born striker, 20, developed in France with Amiens before moving to Royal Antwerp and Monaco.

He scored in the Champions League during his time in Europe before joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in 2026.

Eligible to represent both Nigeria and France, Ilenikhena has committed his international future to the Super Eagles and is also part of the AFCON squad.

Peter Edokpolor

The 19-year-old Benfica forward is a tall centre-forward who can also play on the wing.

Edokpolor joined the Portuguese giants from Galadima FC and progressed through the club’s Under-23 and B teams, gaining exposure to the first-team set-up.

He has now received his first senior invitation from Nigeria.

Umar Abubakar

Abubakar, 20, is a 1.90m striker who plays for the Portuguese club Famalicão.

The former Nigeria Under-17 player scored 21 goals during a loan spell at Jong Gent before earning a permanent move to Famalicão.

His performances have now earned him his first Super Eagles call-up.

Umar Abdullahi

The 19-year-old Hradec Králové striker, also known as Abdullahi Umar, completes the list.

Abdullahi made a strong impression at Under-19 level, scoring 25 goals in one season.

He has since progressed to senior football in the Czech Republic, featuring in domestic league matches and European qualifiers.

His invitation is his first at senior international level.

Chelle’s latest selections form part of his efforts to broaden the pool of players available to the Super Eagles.

The coach had earlier indicated that he would operate with separate squads for the AFCON qualifiers and the Russia friendly, allowing established internationals to handle the competitive fixtures while younger players are assessed for future roles.

The established names in the AFCON squad include Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon and Ola Aina, while the Russia squad features a larger number of emerging players alongside some senior internationals.

For the 13 new invitees, the call-ups represent their first opportunity to establish themselves in the senior Super Eagles set-up. (The Nation)