{
  "id": 18810068,
  "title": "AFCON q’fiers: Chelle drops Okoye, Iheanacho, names Ndidi, Iwobi, 23 others",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/afcon-qfiers-chelle-drops-okoye-iheanacho-names-ndidi-iwobi-23-others",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T23:16:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/afcon-qfiers-chelle-drops-okoye-iheanacho-names-ndidi-iwobi-23-others/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has omitted goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and striker Kelechi Iheanacho from the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying squad. The decision comes after Okoye's recent struggles at Italian club Udinese, who lost 2-1 to Venezia, staying at the bottom of Serie A. Udinese had not won a league game in their last nine outings, with Okoye conceding five goals in a 5-2 loss to Roma on October 31. Iheanacho missed out despite contributing 17 league goals for Bursaspor in Turkey. Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi were among the 24 named players. The Super Eagles will face Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on November 13, followed by a return match at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on November 17.",
  "summary": "Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, has dropped goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and striker Kelechi Iheanacho from his 24-man squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania, with… Read More: https://punchng.com/afcon-qfiers-chelle-drops-okoye-iheanacho-names-ndidi-iwobi-23-others/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "AFCON 2027Q: Chelle names 24 players for Tanzania double-header",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/afcon-2027q-chelle-names-24-players-for-tanzania-double-header",
        "published": "2026-11-07T13:39:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Chelle leaves Okoye, in-form Iheanacho out of Super Eagles squad for Tanzania ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/chelle-leaves-okoye-in-form-iheanacho-out-of-super-eagles-squad-for",
        "published": "2026-11-07T15:23:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Chelle shakes up midfield, invites 24 players for AFCON qualifiers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/chelle-shakes-up-midfield-invites-24-players-for-afcon-qualifiers",
        "published": "2026-11-07T19:46:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}