Super Eagles squad Tanzania: Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has trimmed his provisional squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania, cutting a 40-man invitation list down to around 30 names — and Slavia Prague midfielder David Moses is the surprise omission.
The squad trim was first reported by OwnGoal Nigeria on Friday.
The 22-year-old has been one of the standout young Nigerian players in Europe this season, and many expected his club form to earn him a first senior call-up for the Tanzania games. Chelle has instead decided to stick largely with the players who have featured in the campaign so far, leaving Moses to wait for his chance.
David Moses misses out despite strong club form
Moses has built a strong reputation in the Czech league with his energy and passing from the middle of the pitch, and his omission underlines how much competition there is for places in the Super Eagles midfield right now. The Franco-Malian coach had cast his net wide with the 40-man provisional list, inviting fresh options to stake a claim, but the final cut shows he is backing experience for two games Nigeria simply cannot afford to lose.
Super Eagles squad Tanzania: final list due after weekend games
The Nigeria Football Federation is expected to publish the final Super Eagles squad Tanzania list after this weekend’s round of club matches in Europe, once the coaching staff have a full picture of fitness across the squad. Players are due to start arriving at the team camp in Uyo from Monday, 9 November, as preparations begin in earnest. The final list could still shift if injuries strike over the weekend, with Chelle watching his options closely before the squad gathers. The final squad announcement comes after this weekend’s club fixtures — check our today’s football predictions for the weekend’s games.
Tanzania double-header is must-win for Nigeria
Nigeria sit second in Group L with three points, after a 2-1 home win over Madagascar and a shock 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in September. Tanzania sit just two points behind, and with the Taifa Stars already assured of a place at the finals as co-hosts, the pressure is firmly on the Super Eagles to take maximum points from the two meetings. Six points would put qualification firmly in Nigeria’s hands; anything less would leave the race wide open heading into next year.
Chelle also has a major call to make in attack. Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of both games after undergoing knee surgery, while Samuel Chukwueze is out following hip surgery in London. Basel winger Philip Otele has been called up as Chukwueze’s replacement, and in-form LASK forward Moses Usor — who scored a debut winner against Madagascar — plus Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella offer further options. Midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi are also back in the frame. Osimhen’s absence comes days after he and Ademola Lookman were left off the CAF Player of the Year shortlist.
Nigeria host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 13 November (17:00 WAT), before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return fixture on Tuesday, 17 November (14:00 WAT).
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) — collage by SportsBuddy
