Scotland-based defender Emmanuel Fernandez, Germany-based forward Philip Otele, and KRC Genk winger Yira Sor have received their first Super Eagles call-ups for this month’s international friendlies against Jordan and Iran. ABIODUN ADEWALE profiles the new invitees
Philip Otele (Hamburg)
Germany-based winger Otele recently joined Hamburger SV from FC Basel during the winter transfer window. He had previously been named in Nigeria’s 55-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations but did not make the final list.
Four months later, Otele now has the opportunity to prove himself in the friendly matches ahead of a potential competitive debut.
Since his move, he has started five of seven possible Bundesliga matches, providing one assist.
Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Otele combined football with his education early on. As a teenager, he had a brief training spell with Arsenal FC, showing early promise. However, his path into professional football took a different route. While studying at Teesside University in England, he played for lower-league side Wolviston FC between 2017 and 2019.
The 26-year-old’s breakthrough came in Lithuania with FK Kauno Žalgiris, where he developed into a regular starter. His performances earned him a move to UTA Arad.
He rose to prominence at CFR Cluj, scoring 18 league goals in the 2023/24 season to finish as joint top scorer and attract interest across Europe.
A move to Al Wahda FC followed, but his stay was brief. He returned to Europe with Basel, where he made an immediate impact, helping the club win the Swiss league title before sealing a move to Hamburg in January.
Known for his pace, strength, and ability to cut inside, Otele can play on either wing or as a striker.
Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers)
Regarded as one of the brightest young centre-backs in Europe, Fernandez joined Rangers FC from Peterborough United in a reported €2.9m deal and has enjoyed an impressive debut season.
He has quickly become an important figure under manager Danny Röhl, making 26 appearances and scoring six goals so far this campaign. While he joined for €2.9m in the summer, his market value has since risen to €9m, according to Transfermarkt.
The 24-year-old is expected to strengthen the Super Eagles defence, which blends experienced and emerging players. Fernandez wears the number 37 shirt in honour of his brother, who died at the age of 37, and he is the youngest of eight siblings.
Before his spells at Rangers and Peterborough United, he also played for Barnet FC.
Across his career, he has made 71 appearances and scored 15 goals, underlining his reputation as a goal-scoring defender.
Should he make his debut, he will join Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, and Sadiq Umar among players who made their Super Eagles debuts while at Rangers.
Yira Sor (Genk)
Sor is new to the Super Eagles but not entirely new to the national team setup. The 25-year-old was part of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles squad at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, where he made two appearances as the team exited in the round of 16 following a 2-1 loss to Senegal.
Sor began his career at Port Harcourt-based Family Love Academy before moving to 36 Lion in Lagos. In February 2021, he signed for Czech club Baník Ostrava.
After impressing in the Czech league, Slavia Prague signed him on January 21, 2022, on a deal running until December 2026.
He made an immediate impact, scoring twice on February 24, 2022, in a 3–2 UEFA Europa Conference League win over Fenerbahçe SK. He also scored twice again in the round of 16 first leg against LASK.
His performances attracted further interest, and on December 28, 2022, KRC Genk announced his signing on a contract running until the summer of 2027.
This season, he has recorded four goals and one assist in 23 league appearances for Genk.
The Super Eagles will face World Cup-bound Iran national football team on March 27 before taking on Jordan national football team four days later. Both matches will be played in Antalya after the United States–Israel–Iran tensions in the Middle East forced a change from the initial venue.
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