{
  "id": 9440640,
  "title": "Eagles call-up came sooner than expected – Isaac",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/eagles-call-up-came-sooner-than-expected-isaac-9440640",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-23T23:46:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/eagles-call-up-came-sooner-than-expected-isaac/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Portuguese defender James Isaac expressed his surprise and excitement at receiving an invitation to join the Super Eagles just a short time after starting his season well with FC Alvereca in Liga Portugal. The 22-year-old is among 13 new players selected by coach Eric Chelle for AFCON qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as well as a friendly against Russia on October 6. This marks the start of a new qualifying campaign for Nigeria, where they will face Madagascar, Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau in Group L. Isaac admits he was not expecting to be called up so soon, but he is overjoyed to be part of the national team, describing it as his dream to be there.",
  "summary": "Portugal-based defender James Isaac expresses his surprise at receiving his first Super Eagles call-up for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar. Read More: https://punchng.com/eagles-call-up-came-sooner-than-expected-isaac/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Eagles call-up came sooner than expected – Isaac",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/eagles-call-up-came-sooner-than-expected-isaac",
        "published": "2026-09-23T23:44:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}