Nigeria name injured Osimhen, recall Nwabali, Iheanacho for AFCON qualifiers, Russia friendly

Kelechi Iheanacho and Stanley Nwabali are back in the Nigeria squad, with coach Eric Chelle also recalling defenders Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredrick for the upcoming Russia friendly and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Super Eagles will play three internationals in the space of 12 days. Nigeria host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sept. 25 before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau four days later. Iheanacho was named on Thursday in Chelle's 24-man squad for the Oct. 6 friendly against Russia in Nizhny Novgorod, ending a 16-month absence from the national team. The 29-year-old last played for Nigeria in May 2025, when the Super Eagles drew 2-2 with Jamaica in the Unity Cup final in London before going on to win 5-4 on penalties. Iheanacho's return has been driven by his club form. The former Manchester City and Leicester City forward has made a prolifi