Super Eagles squad drops Okoye for Tanzania window

Super Eagles squad drops Okoye for Tanzania window

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has left goalkeeper Maduka Okoye out of Nigeria’s 24-man squad for the November 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania, selecting Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo instead.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the squad on November 7 ahead of the double-header, with Nigeria hosting Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on November 13 before travelling to Zanzibar for the return fixture on November 17.

Okoye’s omission is among the main talking points in the selection, which also excludes striker Kelechi Iheanacho and midfielder Frank Onyeka. Victor Osimhen is another major absentee following a knee injury that required surgery.

Main talking points in the Super Eagles squad

The three goalkeepers selected are Nwabali, Uzoho and Okonkwo. Uzoho returns to the squad, while Nwabali and Okonkwo retain their places.

In midfield, captain Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi remain among the established options. Tochukwu Nnadi receives a maiden invitation, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf, Samson Tijani and Mubarak Suleiman are also included.

The attacking selection features Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Usor.

Iheanacho misses out despite his scoring form for Turkish club Bursaspor, while Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika are also absent from the midfield selection.

What Chelle has said about Okoye

Chelle has not publicly provided a specific explanation for Okoye’s omission from the November squad.

However, the goalkeeper’s previous late arrival at Nigeria’s September training camp had attracted attention. At the time, Chelle explained that Udinese had asked him to allow Okoye to remain with the Italian club for activities before joining the national team.

The coach said: “I will manage the situation because I have to take some decisions.”

Okoye subsequently joined the squad and was available for the September qualifiers. Chelle’s earlier comments confirmed that the delayed arrival had been authorised, but they did not establish whether the incident influenced his latest selection decision.

What it means for Nigeria’s goalkeeper battle

The omission leaves Nwabali, Uzoho and Okonkwo as Chelle’s available goalkeeping options for the Tanzania fixtures.

Nwabali remains in the squad after featuring in previous international campaigns, while Uzoho’s return gives the coaching staff another experienced option. Okonkwo also retains his place and remains part of the selection.

The NFF announcement does not identify a first-choice goalkeeper, so the starting position remains a decision for Chelle and his technical team ahead of each match.

For Okoye, missing this window means he will have to wait for another opportunity to return to the national team.

Nigeria’s qualification situation

The Tanzania fixtures carry additional importance because the country has already qualified automatically for the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, alongside Kenya and Uganda.

Consequently, only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will secure the remaining qualification place from Group L.

Nigeria entered the November fixtures in second position, three points behind Guinea-Bissau after the opening two matches. Winning both games against Tanzania would improve the Super Eagles’ position, although it would not automatically guarantee qualification.

The results of the remaining group fixtures will also determine which of the three competing teams secures the available place.