Eric Chelle confirms his Super Eagles squad list for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers is ready, with three new faces expected and a chase on for Galatasaray’s Nigeria-eligible midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.
Eric Chelle says his Super Eagles squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers is ready. That’s the headline from Nigeria’s camp this week, and it comes with a twist: the head coach is also chasing a Galatasaray midfielder who could still choose France.
Chelle told reporters his list for the upcoming AFCON 2027 qualifying window is finalised, with three new players in contention for their first senior call-up. As a result, expect at least one or two fresh faces alongside the regulars when the full squad drops. Nigeria have been drawn in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, with the tournament itself scheduled for 19 June to 17 July 2027 according to OwnGoal Nigeria.
That group looks winnable on paper. However, qualifiers have a habit of punishing complacency, and Chelle knows a slow start would put unwanted pressure on later fixtures.
Meanwhile, one of the more interesting subplots involves a player who hasn’t kicked a ball for Nigeria yet. Lesley Ugochukwu, the France-born defensive midfielder who joined Galatasaray from Burnley in a deal worth just under €30m, remains fully eligible to represent the Super Eagles because he has never played a competitive senior match for France.
Chelle has reportedly instructed scouts to make contact and gauge his interest, and reports suggest Ugochukwu is close to securing a Nigerian passport — a step that would clear the way for a formal approach. Interestingly, Victor Osimhen, already a key figure at Galatasaray, is said to have played a part in encouraging Ugochukwu to join the Istanbul club in the first place, which hasn’t hurt Nigeria’s cause behind the scenes.
For a Super Eagles midfield that’s often been the weakest link in recent squads, a player of Ugochukwu’s profile would be a significant get. That said, nothing is confirmed, and eligibility switches like this can drag on for months before a decision is made.
Chelle’s push for foreign-born, Nigeria-eligible talent isn’t new. He has already capped Arthur Okonkwo, Femi Azeez, Emmanuel Fernandez and Owen Oseni this year, and convinced Al Ittihad forward George Ilenikhena to commit his international future to Nigeria. Ugochukwu would fit a clear pattern: identify eligible talent at big European clubs, then move quickly before a rival federation does.
In fact, the timing lines up well. With the World Cup 2026 cycle behind Nigeria and a rebuild underway — see our look at the Super Eagles’ rebuild after missing out on the World Cup — Chelle has room to experiment with personnel before qualifiers that actually count.
Nigerian fans should expect the full AFCON 2027 qualifying squad announcement in the coming days, alongside further updates on the Ugochukwu situation. Elsewhere, several Super Eagles-eligible players are making early season noise at club level — Tolu Arokodare scored on his Ajax debut, and Victor Boniface’s comeback at Bayer Leverkusen is gathering pace, both storylines worth following as Chelle assembles his squad.
When are the AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
Nigeria’s qualifying campaign runs ahead of the tournament itself, which is scheduled for 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania.
Is Lesley Ugochukwu eligible for Nigeria?
Yes. Born in Rennes to Nigerian parents, Ugochukwu has never played a competitive senior match for France, which keeps his Super Eagles eligibility open.
How many new players are expected in Chelle’s squad?
Chelle has indicated as many as three new faces could feature when the full squad list is announced.
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