Friendlies: Are Nigeria playing Iran this week? What to know about scheduled soccer friendly
Yes — the Super Eagles are scheduled to meet Iran in the international friendlies window, with the fixture listed for March 27 at 11: 00 a. m. ET in Antalya, Turkey. The match is part of a four-team invitational moved to Corendon Airlines Park after original plans in Amman were changed because of security concerns. Head Coach Eric Chelle has named a 22-man group as he prepares for the tournament opener against Iran.
Match details — Friendlies and the squad
The Iran game is set for Corendon Airlines Park in Antalya, the home ground of Antalyaspor, with a stated capacity of 33, 000. Organizers have framed the match as one of two fixtures for Nigeria in the window; the Super Eagles are then scheduled to play Jordan later in the camp. Kickoff for the Iran fixture is published as March 27 at 11: 00 a. m. ET and the Nigeria Football Federation lists the Turkey-time kickoff as 4: 00 p. m. Local arrangements moved the fixtures from Amman to Antalya amid security concerns in the wider region.
Eric Chelle’s 22-player group mixes established internationals with new faces. Long-serving performers in the list include Alex Iwobi (now approaching a century of caps), Wilfred Ndidi as captain, and Samuel Chukwueze. Victor Osimhen is absent from the selection after undergoing surgery on a fractured right arm. Chelle has included three uncapped players in this camp: Emmanuel Fernandez (defender, Rangers), Philip Otele (forward, Hamburger SV) and Yira Sor (forward, Genk). Goalkeepers in the group include Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye and Adebayo Adeleye; defenders named include Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi; midfield options include Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika; forwards beyond those already listed include Ademola Lookman and Paul Onuachu.
Immediate reactions
Emmanuel Fernandez, called up for the first time, expressed determination about his maiden involvement: “When the call came in from Nigeria, I couldn’t say no. There was no way I would turn down a chance to play for a great football nation like Nigeria. The idea is to go in there and try and make my mark, ” Fernandez said, identifying himself as a defender with Rangers. Coach Eric Chelle has signaled he will balance experience and youth as he plots tactics for the opening fixture against Iran and the follow-up clash with Jordan.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi arrived in camp ahead of full training and that Calvin Bassey pulled out of the trip because of injury, leaving Chelle to work with the 22 players who joined the first training session in Antalya.
What’s next
This week will test squad depth and give the new call-ups a live audition in the friendlies setup. Expect tactical adjustments from Chelle across the two matches as he evaluates combinations and covers for absentees; the Super Eagles’ next public milestone will be the Iran kickoff at 11: 00 a. m. ET, followed by the game with Jordan later in the camp. The federation and coaching staff will provide updates on lineups, injuries and any further schedule changes as the series of friendlies progresses.
