Nigeria Name Squad for Poland and Portugal Friendlies

Okonkwo earns first Nigeria call-up for Poland and Portugal friendlies

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle included Arthur Okonkwo and Oseni Owen in a 26-man squad for games against Poland and Portugal as the Super Eagles rebuild after missing the 2026 World Cup.

Eric Chelle called up Wrexham’s Arthur Okonkwo for the first time as Nigeria face Robert Lewandowski’s Poland and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in June...

Okonkwo gets first Nigeria call-up  

Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has been called up to the Nigeria squad for the first time ahead of June friendlies against Poland and Portugal.

Okonkwo previously played for England at U16, U17, and U18 level. The former Arsenal youth player has now switched his international allegiance to Nigeria and has been included in Eric Chelle’s squad.

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Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is rebuilding the team after Nigeria missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Okonkwo is one of several new players selected for the high-profile matches in Europe.

Plymouth striker Oseni Owen also received his first senior invitation. Stanley Nwabali was a notable omission after leaving South African club Chippa United and becoming a free agent.

Attacking lineup features big names  

Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen leads the squad. He is joined by Atletico Madrid’s Ademola Lookman and the Fulham trio of Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze.

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will compete with Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo for the starting spot.

The defense includes Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Slavia Prague’s Igoh Ogbu.

Nigeria’s attack is strengthened by Turkish Super Lig joint-top scorer Paul Onuachu, Sevilla striker Akor Adams, FC Porto’s Terem Moffi, and Nantes winger Moses Simon.

The three-time African champions play Poland on June 3 at Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy Stadium, with Robert Lewandowski expected to feature. Seven days later they travel to Leiria to face Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo.

NIGERIA FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, 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); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique Marseille, France); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal)  

Your #SuperEagles squads for the #2026UnityCup and June Friendlies 📋 pic.twitter.com/akoS3NlCoB

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) May 20, 2026