Chelle announces final 23-man squad for World Cup qualifiers
Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa.
The list includes captain William Ekong, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also retains his place, alongside defenders Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, and Bright Osayi-Samuel; midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Frank Onyeka; and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, and Cyriel Dessers.
Greece-based goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo makes a return to the squad, joined by Unity Cup standouts Felix Agu and Benjamin Fredericks, as well as forwards Christantus Uche and Tolu Arokodare, who impressed during the friendly against Russia in Moscow on 6 June.
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda’s Amavubi in a Matchday 7 fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday, 6 September, before traveling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Matchday 8 on Tuesday, 9 September.
Squad list:
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)
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)
