Samson Tijani has made his intentions clear: the midfielder is ready to fight for a permanent place in the Super Eagles after earning a recall for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania.
The FK Podbrezova man was one of the fresh faces in Eric Chelle’s 24-man squad for the November fixtures, and he has spoken of his determination to turn the invitation into something lasting.
“It’s something that I’ve been looking up to for a very long time, and here I am. I’m just ready to go and give my best,” Tijani said.
From Golden Eaglets captain to Chelle’s recall
Samson Tijani’s journey to this point has been a patient one. The former Golden Eaglets captain has built his club career in Europe, most recently with Slovakian side FK Podbrezova, and his recall under Chelle is a reward for steady performances away from the spotlight.
He was part of the Super Eagles squad that lifted the Unity Cup in London earlier in 2026, but a competitive appearance for Nigeria is still the prize he is chasing. Chelle’s decision to bring him back for a double-header that could define the qualifying campaign suggests the coach sees something worth developing — and Tijani knows the opportunity may not come around again soon.
“I don’t see myself down. That’s my motivation. I see myself challenging. I like to be challenged,” he explained. “When you get the opportunity, you grab it. It’s up to you if you don’t take it.”
“For me, the challenge is open. I’m ready for it.”
Six points or nothing in Zanzibar
The context could hardly be bigger. Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 in Uyo on Friday, with Alhassan Yusuf scoring inside two minutes and Tolu Arokodare coming off the bench to score twice in the second half. The win moved the Super Eagles to six points in Group L, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau.
Now the squad flies to Zanzibar on Sunday for Tuesday’s return leg at the Amaan Stadium, where victory would complete the six-point target and put Nigeria in a strong position to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Tijani, who spoke before Friday’s first leg, was blunt about what the double-header demands: “The most important thing is to get six points, home and away. We just have to get it done.”
“Everybody in this camp, including the officials, the main goal is to go into the game and win the game,” he added. “Right now, the focus and the motivation is to just win this game.”
The midfield battle Tijani must win
Breaking into Chelle’s midfield will not be easy. Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi are established starters, while Alhassan Yusuf scored the opener in Uyo and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi are also pushing for minutes. Teenage midfielder Suleiman Mubarak earned his first senior call-up in the same squad.
With Ademola Lookman a doubt for Tuesday after his knee problem in Uyo, Chelle may yet shuffle his options — and a midfielder who can show discipline, energy and composure in training has a genuine chance of forcing his way into the conversation.
For Samson Tijani, the message is simple: the door is open, and it is up to him to walk through it. For more on the qualifiers, check today’s predictions.
Photos: SportsBuddy graphic design. No licensed photograph of Samson Tijani in current club or national-team kit exists — no player photo is presented as Tijani.
