Eric Chelle's Nigeria have been forced into a late defensive change ahead of their upcoming friendly matches against Iran and Jordan, with Calvin Bassey withdrawing from the squad through injury, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles had been preparing for the four-nation invitational tournament in Antalya, Turkey, but suffered a setback when Bassey picked up a back problem. The Fulham defender was expected to play a key role in the heart of the defence.
Head coach Eric Chelle has now turned to Chibuike Nwaiwu, who has been called up as a replacement. The 22-year-old, who plays for Trabzonspor, will link up with the squad in Turkey.
Trabzonspor confirmed the development in a brief statement, saying:
“We wish success to our footballer Chibuike Nwaiwu, who will take the field for the first time in the Nigeria National Team.”
Nijerya Milli Takımı’nda ilk kez görev alacak futbolcumuz Chibuike Nwaiwu’ya başarılar diliyoruz pic.twitter.com/rqS95aoZOC
— Trabzonspor (@Trabzonspor) March 26, 2026
Nigeria’s squad in camp has now risen to around 22 players, with captain Wilfred Ndidi among those who arrived on Wednesday. Nwaiwu's arrival will swell the camp number to 23.
The tournament, which was moved to Turkey due to security concerns in the Middle East, will see Nigeria face Iran on March 27 before taking on Jordan four days later.
Nwaiwu’s inclusion offers Chelle an extra tactical option. Although he is naturally a centre-back, he is comfortable stepping up into defensive midfield. That flexibility could be useful against a disciplined Iranian side, especially with Bassey unavailable and Victor Osimhen also missing through injury.
This is a major opportunity for the young defender, a first chance to prove himself at senior international level in what could be described as a trial under pressure.
From NPFL to Chelle's Super Eagles: Nwaiwu’s rapid rise
Nwaiwu’s journey to the national team has been fast, but built on steady progress and strong performances.
Born in Port Harcourt on July 23, 2003, the tall and powerful defender began his professional career with Heartland in Owerri. During the 2021–22 season, he made 17 appearances and quickly gained attention for his strength in midfield and ability to win the ball.
His performances earned him a move to Enyimba International, one of Nigeria’s biggest clubs. At Enyimba, Nwaiwu developed into a key player, making 43 appearances and helping the team win the 2022–23 NPFL title. He was often described as the engine of the team, protecting the defence and allowing attacking players to thrive.
A move to Europe followed in 2024, when he joined Wolfsberger AC. There, he continued his development, playing regularly and even contributing goals from midfield. One of the highlights of his time in Austria was helping the club win the Austrian Cup in the 2024–25 season, their first major domestic trophy.
In January 2026, he took another big step by signing for Trabzonspor in Turkey. The move, reportedly worth €5.5 million, showed how highly he is rated. Since arriving, he has impressed with his energy, physical presence, and ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch. A standout moment came when he scored twice in a single match in February.
Standing at 1.93 metres, Nwaiwu is known for his dominance in the air and his versatility. He can play as a centre-back or as a defensive midfielder, giving coaches valuable options.
His consistent performances in Europe have now been rewarded with a first senior call-up to Nigeria.
