The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on the eve of the Super Eagles’ friendly against Iran that Trabzonspor centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu has received his first call-up to the national team.

Nwaiwu was handed a late invitation, replacing Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, who was forced to withdraw from the 23-man squad due to a back injury.

Manager Eric Chelle pulled off a public relations coup by including Nwaiwu, who had been widely tipped to make the initial squad but was surprisingly omitted.

Here are five interesting facts about Chibuike Nwaiwu you need to know:

1. Nwaiwu is represented by prominent Israeli agent Dudu Dahan, who has previously managed the careers of former Nigeria internationals Efe Ambrose and Olarenwaju Kayode.

2. A former Heartland and Enyimba star, Nwaiwu is a Manchester United supporter and has cited Wilfred Ndidi and Patrick Vieira as his role models.

3. He joined Trabzonspor from Wolfsberger AC during the January transfer window for €5.5 million, a record fee received by last season’s Austrian Cup winners.

4. In March 2023, Nwaiwu was named in Nigeria's U23 squad for an Africa U23 Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against Guinea.

5. Nwaiwu, who grew up in Port Harcourt, scored his first career brace for a European club last month, netting both goals with headers in Trabzonspor’s 3-1 victory over Fatih Karagümrük.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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