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The Super Eagles will be without charismatic leaders Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman for international friendlies against Poland and Portugal, but that has not dampened the team’s spirit.
Nigeria will play Poland on Wednesday and seven days later will face World Cup-bound Portugal following their Unity Cup success against Jamaica.
Eric Chelle’s team missed out on a spot in the 49-team global tournament, but the rebuilding process has already begun and preparation for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers is also in full swing.
The count until Tuesday night in Warsaw, where the first friendly will be played, shows that 18 players arrived, but two were absent from the team’s first training session yesterday.
Chelle confirmed the absence of Osimhen, Lookman and also explained that the new kid on the block, Femi Azeez, was called up by his club Millwall.
Current players in Warsaw
Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo
Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Igho Ogbu
Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Tochukwu Nnadi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Abdullahi Ibrahim
Akor Adams, Terem Moffi, Rafiu Durosinmi, Paul Onuachu.
Also read: Four peat! Super Eagles beat Reggae Boyz to retain Unity Cup
Chelle squad update
Speaking about the players who will miss games, Chelle said:
“As for Victor Osimhen, he is an important player for Nigeria and Galatasaray. This period is the off-season, when a lot of things happen off the field and we must respect certain decisions that are not in our hands.
“Ademola Lookman will not be available due to personal reasons, Femi Azeez had a decent performance in the Unity Cup but his club will not release him for the remaining matches.
“Alhassan Yusuf and Tijani Samson do not have entry visas and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro is not feeling well.
“The next matches are friendly and I will approach each match seriously with the players available.”
It is unclear whether Portugal will have its top stars available for the friendly against Nigeria.
Roberto Martínez’s men will play in Group K against DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
