Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu has been called up to the Super Eagles squad for this month’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan, replacing Fulham’s Calvin Bassey, Bold Sports reports.
Bassey was initially included in head coach Eric Chelle’s 23-man squad but pulled out due to a back injury that is expected to sideline him for a while.
Nwaiwu’s inclusion offers the 22-year-old a fresh opportunity to stake his claim on the international stage, following a string of impressive performances at club level.
The young defender has quickly established himself at Trabzonspor since joining the Turkish side in January. He has featured in 12 matches across multiple competitions, contributing two goals and one assist as the club push for the Super Lig title.
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Nwaiwu made an immediate impact upon his arrival at the club, starting nine consecutive games before suffering a thigh injury. He has since recovered and returned strongly, starting two matches in a row before the international break and helping his side keep clean sheets in both fixtures.
Prior to his move to Turkey, Nwaiwu enjoyed a productive spell with Austrian side Wolfsberger AC, where he made 45 appearances and scored five goals. He was also part of the team that secured the 2024–25 Austrian Cup, starting in the final as they edged Hartberg 1-0 to claim their first domestic title.
The defender began his professional career in Nigeria with Heartland FC in 2021 before earning a move to Enyimba a year later. At Enyimba, he played a key role in their 2022–23 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title-winning campaign.
With Bassey sidelined, Nwaiwu now has the chance to impress with the national team. The Eagles are scheduled to face Iran on Friday, March 27, before taking on Jordan on March 31. The fixtures will serve as preparation for the Asian sides ahead of their debut appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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