Charlton Athletic have confirmed that goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has been called up to the Nigeria squad for their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Okonkwo joined Charlton on loan from Wrexham ahead of this season and has made four appearances for the Sky Bet Championship club so far. The call-up offers the 24-year-old a chance to build on his early international career with the Super Eagles.

The Arsenal academy graduate earned his first two caps for Nigeria during the Unity Cup in May, when the Super Eagles were victorious at The Valley. He will now look to cement his place in the squad across the two qualifying fixtures.

Competition for the gloves

Okonkwo faces stiff competition for the starting shirt under coach Eric Chelle, with both Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye also in contention for the goalkeeper's jersey.

Nigeria open their qualifying campaign at home on Friday, 25 September, when they welcome Madagascar to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Four days later, the Super Eagles travel away to face Guinea-Bissau — known as the Djurtus — in the reverse fixture.