{
  "id": 8345052,
  "title": "Meet Eagles’ new boys for Madagascar, G’Bissau AFCON qualifiers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/meet-eagles-new-boys-for-madagascar-gbissau-afcon-qualifiers-8345052",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T01:02:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/meet-eagles-new-boys-for-madagascar-gbissau-afcon-qualifiers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Al Ittihad's George Ilenikhena, Alverca's Isaac James, and LASK's Moses Usor have all received their first call-ups to the Nigeria national team, the Super Eagles, for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Head coach Eric Chelle recently announced a 24-man squad for the Group L campaign, which sees Nigeria face Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 and Guinea-Bissau on September 29, with Tanzania as co-hosts. Ilenikhena, a 20-year-old forward, has shown promise this season with six goals and two assists in nine matches, despite struggling with fitness and breaking into Al Ittihad's team. Isaac James, a 22-year-old left-back, has been called up due to Zaidu Sanusi's injury, and Moses Usor, a 24-year-old forward, has excelled in the 2025/26 season with LASK, winning both the league and cup double and securing qualification for the Champions League.",
  "summary": "Nigeria’s Super Eagles have called up three new players, George Ilenikhena, Isaac James, and Moses Usor, for the AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Gu Read More: https://punchng.com/meet-eagles-new-boys-for-madagascar-gbissau-afcon-qualifiers/",
  "key_points": [
    "George Ilenikhena, 20, joins Nigeria squad for AFCON qualifiers",
    "Isaac James, 22, called up as Zaidu Sanusi injury replacement",
    "Moses Usor, 24, excels in LASK season, earns first national call-up"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The inclusion of George Ilenikhena, Isaac James, and Moses Usor in Nigeria's squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers signals a refresh of the team's roster under head coach Eric Chelle.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Meet Eagles’ new boys for Madagascar, G’Bissau AFCON qualifiers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/meet-eagles-new-boys-for-madagascar-gbissau-afcon-qualifiers",
        "published": "2026-09-19T00:44:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}