Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will reportedly make three changes to his squad ahead of Nigeria’s two-legged 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania, with Victor Osimhen headlining the returnees.

Osimhen missed Nigeria’s last qualifying games due to a right adductor and groin strain he suffered during a match against İstanbul Başakşehir in early September.

The Galatasaray striker returned to action on October 9, 2026, coming off the bench to provide a key assist in his club’s 3-1 victory over Kasımpaşa.

Osimhen then started his first game back in Galatasaray’s Champopener in Nigeria’s 3-3 draw against Russia in a recent friendly, is also reportedly back in the squad, according to OwnGoal Nigeria. The Bursaspor forward is in strong form, having scored his 14th goal of the season with a brace just days ago in Turkey.

Completing the trio of new additions is Abdullahi Bewene, the Banik Ostrava defender, who earned his place after three solid performances in friendlies against Poland, Portugal, and Russia.

The Tanzania games come at a critical moment for the Super Eagles. Nigeria were handed a damaging 3-0 defeat by Guinea Bissau in their group game before the break, a result that left them in second place in Group L with three points from two matches, three points behind group leaders Guinea-Bissau.

Tanzania, as a co-host of the 2027 tournament, already holds automatic qualification and cannot take one of the available slots. That means only the top-ranked non-host side in the group will advance to the finals, putting enormous pressure on the Super Eagles to win the double header and then maintain their position through the remaining matchdays.

Nigeria will need maximum points from the Tanzania fixtures to put themselves firmly back in contention for the sole automatic qualification spot available from their group.