Portugal-based defender James Isaac has admitted he was surprised by his first Super Eagles invitation, saying he did not expect his international breakthrough to arrive so quickly despite his impressive start to the season with FC Alverca.
The 22-year-old is among the 13 new players called up by head coach Eric Chelle for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as well as the October 6 international friendly against Russia.
Nigeria will begin their new AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar on Friday before facing Guinea-Bissau next Tuesday. The Super Eagles are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau.
Isaac said his invitation came as a major surprise, although representing Nigeria had always been one of his biggest ambitions.
“I was doing well in the season, but I didn’t expect to get the call-up. It’s my dream to be here, but when the coach called me, I was so surprised because I didn’t expect it to be so soon,” Isaac said via the Super Eagles’ official social media platforms.
“But I am really happy to be here and I cried. I have been dreaming of being in the national team.”
The defender added that he was delighted to find himself among some of Nigeria’s established stars and revealed that Alverca were also pleased with his selection.
“We have good players here and to be among them, I am really happy. My club was also happy and I’m like the first Nigerian player to get a national team call-up there,” he added.
Isaac provides Chelle with another option at full-back and could compete for a place at left-back with Bruno Onyemaechi and Ola Aina, who is capable of operating on either side of the defence.
The defender joined Alverca in July 2025 after spending a season in France with Lorient. He has made seven league appearances for the Portuguese club this season and has registered two assists.
His European journey began with trials at Danish club Midtjylland and French side Lorient in 2021. He eventually joined Lorient’s reserve team in 2022 after leaving Nigerian club Garden City Panthers FC.
Administrative issues delayed his debut for Lorient B until December 2022, but he later progressed through the club’s system before making his professional debut for the senior side in a 2-0 Ligue 2 victory over Grenoble in August 2024.
Isaac went on to make seven senior-team appearances for Lorient and was part of the squad that secured promotion to Ligue 1 during the 2024/25 season.
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