Iran vs Nigeria: Super Eagles camp bubbles as 22 players arrive in Antalya

Excitement is building in the Super Eagles camp in Antalya as all 22 invited players have arrived ahead of the upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi was the final player to arrive on Wednesday afternoon, completing the squad list. All 22 players subsequently took part in the team’s first training session later that evening.

The Super Eagles will face Iran on Friday at 4pm Turkey time (2pm Nigeria time), before taking on Jordan on March 31 at 8pm Turkey time (6pm Nigeria time).

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However, the squad will be without Calvin Bassey, who withdrew due to injury, leaving head coach Eric Chelle to work with a trimmed group as he prepares for Friday’s clash against Iran.

Nigeria and Iran have met only twice at the senior level. The Super Eagles recorded a 1-0 win at the Carlsberg Cup in Hong Kong in 1998, courtesy of a second-half strike from Ahmed Garba, while their 2014 FIFA World Cup group-stage encounter in Brazil ended in a goalless draw.

Eric Chelle’s squad blends experience and youth, with seasoned internationals such as Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon alongside Ndidi, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, and forwards Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze.

Regular squad members, including Ademola Lookman, Maduka Okoye, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika, are joined by forwards Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke.

New faces such as defender Emmanuel Fernandez and forwards Collins Sor and Philip Otele will be aiming to impress in their first call-ups.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany); Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium)