Ekong, Musa, Lookman, Osimhen in Chelle’s provisional squad for WCQs
By Olaolu Joseph
Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle has named goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adebayo Adeleye, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Moses Simon in a provisional list of 39 players for this month’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Also included are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sadiq Umar.
Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams have received their first-ever call-ups. Meanwhile, home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella could make a return if they make the final list of 23.
Nigeria, currently fifth in Group C behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho, will face group leaders Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21, before hosting Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, four days later.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers:
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
- Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
- Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
- Adebayo Adeleye (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus)
- Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)
Defenders:
- William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahçe SK, Turkey)
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece)
- Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France)
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
- Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
- Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
- Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, Belgium)
- Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International, Nigeria)
Midfielders:
- Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA)
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy)
- Frank Onyeka (FC Augsburg, Germany)
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
- Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England)
- Anthony Dennis (Göztepe SK, Turkey)
- Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
- Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria)
Forwards:
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
- Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)
- Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
- Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain)
- Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Cyriel Dessers (Rangers FC, Scotland)
- Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
- Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain)
- Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England)
- Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)
- Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
