Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has announced his final 23-man squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Initially, Chelle named a 39-man provisional squad for the important qualifiers, but he has now cut the list down to 23 players.
Notably, Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, who had sparked debate among fans and analysts regarding his inclusion in the provisional squad, has been left out of the final team. Kelechi Iheanacho was also excluded.
However, Chelle has kept key players like Stanley Nwabali, William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Osimhen in the squad for the must-win games.
Nigeria will take on Group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21, before hosting Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25.
23-Man Super Eagles Squad for Rwanda and Zimbabwe Matches:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).
