Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, has added two late arrivals to his squad ahead of the upcoming international friendlies. Genk full-back Christian Akpan and Baník Ostrava midfielder Abdullahi Bewene have been handed last-minute call-ups for the matches against Poland and Portugal.
Akpan, who recently featured in the UEFA Europa League playoffs for his club, has been a consistent performer for Genk’s reserve side this season. The 21-year-old defender’s inclusion provides depth to the defensive line.
Bewene earned his opportunity following a standout campaign with Baník Ostrava in the Czech Fortuna Liga. His impressive displays caught the attention of the national team coaching staff.
The call-ups come after several key players withdrew from the squad. Notable absentees include Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Alhassan Yusuf, who have all pulled out of the two-game tour.
Nigeria is scheduled to take on Poland on Wednesday, followed by a fixture against Portugal a week later. These friendlies serve as preparation for future competitive matches.