As the Super Eagles prepare for international friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Turkey, attention is turning to a group of players who could shape the squad’s future. With some established names absent, the games offer opportunities for in form and emerging talents to impress the new technical crew.
Head coach Eric Chelle opened camp in Antalya with 21 players already on ground. Notable absentees include Victor Osimhen and some regulars, creating room for fresh faces and others looking to cement their places ahead of future competitive fixtures.
Maduka Okoye of Udinese arrives in good form after featuring in 22 Serie A matches this season and keeping six clean sheets. With Stanley Nwabali currently out of the picture due to being without a club, Okoye has a real chance to re establish himself as Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper.
Winger Philip Otele, on loan at Hamburger SV from Swiss side Basel, is also one to watch. Since moving to the German Bundesliga, he has shown sharp finishing and increasing influence, recently scoring his first league goal for Hamburg in a 3 2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. The Turkey camp is his first senior international call up at 26.
Another debutant is Collins Yira Sor of KRC Genk, regarded as one of the fastest players in European football. The forward has scored six goals and provided two assists in 37 games this season. Coaches see him as the kind of impact substitute who can stretch defences within minutes of coming on.
Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez is also attracting interest after an outstanding campaign in Scotland. Across all competitions, he has scored six goals, won 72 percent of his aerial duels, completed 88 percent of his passes and recorded a 67 percent dribbling success rate, including a dominant 90 minute display in a recent 4 1 win over Aberdeen. This is also his first Super Eagles invitation.
With Osimhen unavailable, Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu carries much of Nigeria’s attacking responsibility. On loan from Southampton, he is enjoying a prolific season in the Turkish Super Lig, with more than 20 goals in all competitions and an average of one goal every 84 minutes as of early March 2026.
The friendlies against Iran and Jordan will give Chelle and his staff a close look at these players in national team colours. Strong performances in Antalya could push them up the pecking order as Nigeria builds toward upcoming qualifiers and major tournaments.
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