Eric Chelle has confirmed his Super Eagles squad for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifier against Madagascar in Uyo, with Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina recalled.
Eric Chelle has named his Super Eagles squad for the opening round of AFCON 2027 qualifying, and the headline is a familiar face coming back into the fold. Nottingham Forest right-back Ola Aina returns to the group as Nigeria prepares to open its campaign against Madagascar in Uyo.
The announcement gives Nigerian fans their first proper look at how Chelle plans to shape this Super Eagles squad heading into a qualifying cycle that carries real weight after the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 World Cup. As a result, every squad list between now and the AFCON 2027 finals will be read closely for signs of the rebuild taking shape.
Aina has been a consistent presence for club and country in recent seasons, and his return to the squad list strengthens a defence that has looked for stability since the World Cup playoff exit. He’s one of several Super Eagles internationals now playing regular Premier League football — see our full rundown of Super Eagles players in the Premier League this season. He reported for pre-season training with Nottingham Forest in mid-July and has set himself an ambitious personal target of five goals for the 2026/27 campaign, according to OwnGoal Nigeria’s report on the squad announcement, which first flagged his inclusion alongside the rest of the provisional list.
However, the same report also flagged a notable absence at right-back, underlining that Chelle’s selection choices are still very much in flux this early in the qualifying cycle. That said, fans should expect further tweaks before the matchday squad is finalised closer to kickoff.
Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign begins at home to Madagascar on 23 September at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The Super Eagles were drawn into Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania, with only one qualification spot up for grabs beyond Tanzania’s automatic place.
That single-spot format means every point matters from matchday one. In fact, a slow start against Madagascar would put immediate pressure on the away trip to Guinea-Bissau that follows in the same qualifying window. For a full breakdown of the group format and what it means heading into kickoff, see our AFCON 2027 qualifier group guide.
This qualifying campaign is the first extended look at Chelle’s Super Eagles since Nigeria’s World Cup 2026 playoff heartbreak, and the squad list reflects a coach still searching for his best XI. Meanwhile, several regulars who featured in recent friendlies against Poland and Portugal remain in the mix, giving the squad a settled core even as fringe places stay competitive.
For readers following the wider picture — including what the format means for bettors tracking the market ahead of kickoff — our AFCON 2027 qualifying guide for Nigerian bettors covers the schedule and qualification math in more detail.
Chelle’s squad is expected to be trimmed further before the team assembles for camp ahead of the Madagascar clash. As a result, this list should be treated as provisional rather than final — a point OwnGoal Nigeria’s report also makes clear.
Nigerian Matchday’s editorial team will track every update to the squad list as camp approaches, along with team news and betting angles once the matchday squad is confirmed. Our AI prediction tracker will also weigh in once markets open for the Madagascar fixture.
The squad picture shifted further days after this list was published, with a serious knee injury ruling Christantus Uche out of contention for the qualifiers.
When does Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign start?
Nigeria opens against Madagascar on 23 September 2026 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Who is back in the Super Eagles squad?
Nottingham Forest right-back Ola Aina has returned to the squad, according to Eric Chelle’s provisional list published on 18 August 2026.
Who is in Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifying group?
Nigeria is in Group L with Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania. Only one spot beyond Tanzania’s automatic place is available.
Is this the final Super Eagles squad?
No. Reports indicate the list is provisional and expected to be trimmed before camp opens.
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