{
  "id": 8348750,
  "title": "Iwobi’s Recommendation Encouraged Chelle to Invite Fulham’s Nwoko for Russian Friendly",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/iwobis-recommendation-encouraged-chelle-to-invite-fulhams-nwoko-for",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T00:49:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/19/iwobis-recommendation-encouraged-chelle-to-invite-fulhams-nwoko-for-russian-friendly/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle reached out to Alex Iwobi before adding Fulham midfielder Chibey Nwoko to Nigeria's squad for the upcoming international friendly against Russia on October 6th. Nwoko, a 20-year-old left-footed midfielder, has been granted his first call-up to the national team despite previous unsuccessful attempts to join the Flying Eagles and Olympic Eagles. The midfielder, with three caps for England U18s, has expressed his desire to switch allegiance to Nigeria after his efforts to secure call-ups to the senior teams have not been successful. Nwoko is currently working on resolving documentation issues related to the expiry of his Nigerian passport, including obtaining a new National Identification Number. Despite the passport situation, he is expected to participate in the friendly match against Russia, as it is a non-competitive fixture. Chelle's decision to include Nwoko was influenced by his evaluation of the midfielder's progress at Fulham. Iwobi, upon learning of Nwoko's inclusion, provided Chelle with a positive assessment of the academy graduate. Following Nwoko's first-team debut for Fulham against AFC Wimbledon on August 27th, Chelle watched the 22-minute match and was impressed by the young player's performance. The Nigerian coach had previously considered naming Nwoko in the squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau but required confirmation regarding the midfielder's competitive appearances for England's youth teams. The Nigerian Football Federation is seeking clarification from FIFA regarding Nwoko's eligibility, a situation similar to that of Wrexham loanee Arthur Okonkwo, who only played in friendly matches for England's youth teams before changing his national allegiance. Nwoko, born in London, has ancestral roots in Umuahia South, Abia State, through his father.",
  "summary": "Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle contacted Alex Iwobi before deciding to include Fulham midfielder Chibby Nwoko in Nigeria’s squad for the international friendly against Russia. Nwoko has received his first",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}