Super Eagles in training
Eric Chelle, Super Eagles head coach, has named the 23-player squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers next month.
The Franco-Malian tactician invited the majority of the established national team stars for the games against Rwanda and South Africa.
Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Ola Aina, and Alex Iwobi all made the list.
Other big names tapped for the qualifiers include Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, and Bright Osay-Samuel.
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Stanley Nwabali also made the squad despite doubt following an early substitution in his last league match for South Africa’s Chippa United due to injury.
Victor Boniface is the biggest absence from the list. The 23-year-old has endured a torrid few days after his planned loan move to AC Milan from Bayer Leverkusen was called off due to medical concerns.
Chelle, however, extended invites to Felix Agu, Benjamin Fredericks, and Christantus Uche — a trio that was impressive at the 2025 Unity Cup in London.
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The Super Eagles host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 6 and travel to South Africa to face the Bafana Bafana on September 9.
Nigeria is currently fourth in Group B with seven points from six matches, and the team must win their remaining matches to maintain a slim chance of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico next year.
FINAL LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
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Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).
