Isaac James tears up as he receives first Super Eagles call-up from Éric Chelle
Isaac James, 22-year-old defender for Portuguese club Alverca, received his first call-up to the Nigeria Super Eagles for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. He said he cried when coach Éric Chelle called him, describing the moment as a dream fulfilled.
James' call-up highlights the growing pipeline of Nigeria-based abroad talent being scouted by the national team under Chelle. For fans, it signals fresh defensive options ahead of the qualifiers, which begin soon. His versatility (left-back, wing-back, left-sided centre-back) and pace add depth to the Super Eagles backline.
James previously spent three seasons at Lyon FC in France before moving to Alverca, where he earned regular playing time. His club says he may be the first Nigerian player at Alverca to earn a senior national team invitation. The qualifiers offer him an immediate chance to debut. Will you be watching for James' potential first appearance in the upcoming matches, or do you think he needs more time to adapt to the national team setup?