SUPER EAGLES TO FACE IRAN IN ANTALYA INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

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By: Muftau Fatimo

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to return to action for the first time since winning the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they take on Iran in an international friendly at Antalya Stadium in Turkey on Friday. The match provides an early insight into the team’s rebuilding process under coach Eric Chelle, The media reports.

This will be only the third encounter between the two nations, with Nigeria holding a slight edge from previous meetings, having recorded one win and one draw.

Ahmed Garba scored the decisive second-half goal for Nigeria in their Carlsberg Cup clash in Hong Kong in January 1998, while their Group F match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Curitiba, Brazil, ended in a goalless draw.

The upcoming fixture is part of a four-nation invitational tournament that also includes Jordan and Costa Rica.

Nigeria head into the game from a position of cautious optimism despite the lingering disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after FIFA rejected the NFF’s request to disqualify DR Congo from the play-offs over the use of ineligible players.

Their campaign ended in dramatic fashion following a defeat on penalties to the Leopards, but the team have since responded with a measure of stability, culminating in a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON after overcoming Egypt via a shootout in the third-place medal match.

That recovery has extended into recent form, with the Super Eagles technically unbeaten in all their 15 competitive matches under Chelle, suggesting a side gradually regaining balance as the Franco-Malian begins to imprint his ideas on the squad.

For Chelle, this friendly represents more than a routine exercise, serving instead as a platform to test combinations, assess depth and introduce new personnel into the national setup.

Iran, by contrast, arrive in Antalya under more complicated circumstances. Despite being among the earliest teams to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, their preparations have been overshadowed by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have raised uncertainties around logistics, particularly concerning fixtures scheduled to be played in the United States.

Drawn alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, Team Melli face off-field concerns even as they attempt to stabilise performances on the pitch.

Their recent form has been unconvincing, with the side winless in their last three outings, including a 2-1 defeat to Russia and goalless draws against Cape Verde and Uzbekistan, leaving coach Amir Ghalenoei searching for renewed momentum and cohesion within his squad.

Nigeria’s own preparations have been shaped by a number of key absences, most notably Victor Osimhen, who is unavailable even before his fractured forearm, depriving the team of its most potent attacking outlet.

Defensive options have also been affected, with Ola Aina sidelined through fitness concerns, while Calvin Bassey withdrawn from the squad on Wednesday.

First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is also absent following a period of inactivity as a free agent.

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