The Digest:
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has called up Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu as a replacement for Calvin Bassey, who withdrew from the squad due to a back injury. The 22-year-old, who began his career at Heartland and won the NPFL title with Enyimba, will join the team in Antalya, Turkey for friendlies against Iran and Jordan. Nwaiwu, who can play as a centre-back or defensive midfielder, moved to Trabzonspor in January 2026 for €5.5 million after impressing at Wolfsberger AC. The squad now has approximately 23 players in camp.
Key Points:
- Nwaiwu's call-up marks his first senior international appearance for Nigeria.
- The versatile defender can play both centre-back and defensive midfield, offering tactical flexibility for Chelle.
- Nwaiwu won the NPFL title with Enyimba in the 2022-23 season before moving to Europe.
- He helped Wolfsberger AC win the Austrian Cup in the 2024-25 season, their first major domestic trophy.
- Nigeria faces Iran on March 27 and Jordan four days later in the Antalya tournament.
As Nwaiwu gets his first opportunity with the Super Eagles, the young defender's rapid rise from the NPFL to the national team highlights the depth of Nigerian talent and Chelle's willingness to look beyond established names.
Sources: Soccernet
