World Cup qualifiers: NPFL stars Bankole, Papa Daniel make Chelle’s 23-man squad

By Olaolu Joseph

Super Eagles head coach Eric Sekou Chelle on Tuesday released his 23-man squad for this month’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The former Malian national team manager included two home-based players in his list: goalkeeper Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars and midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha of Niger Tornadoes.

Also making the final list are goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Moses Simon.

Also included are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar. Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu makes the final cut, while Belgium-based forward Tolu Arokodare also earns a place in the squad.

The Super Eagles will face Group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 1, before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, four days later.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers:

• Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
• Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
• Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)

Defenders:

• William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia)
• Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahçe SK, Turkey)
• Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece)
• Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
• Olaoluwa 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, Nigeria)

Forwards:

• Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
• Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
• Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
• Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
• Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
• Sadiq Umar (Valencia CF, Spain)
• Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
• Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)