Super Eagles manager Éric Chelle has announced his first squad since taking charge, revealing a 39-man provisional list for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
With Nigeria sitting fifth in their group and qualification hopes hanging in the balance, these fixtures are a must-win. Chelle has responded by casting a wide net, selecting a mammoth 39-man squad packed with experience, fresh faces, and some local talent. However, only 23 players will make the final list for the matches.
Who Made the Squad?
The headline news is the return of veteran forward Ahmed Musa, who earns a recall nearly a year after his last involvement with the Super Eagles. Musa, currently playing for Kano Pillars, is joined by three other NPFL-based players: Papa Daniel Mustapha of Niger Tornadoes, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi of Rangers International, and Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars.
Chelle has made it clear he is watching the domestic league closely and is willing to reward players performing on home soil. Whether these players survive the final squad cut remains to be seen, but their inclusion is an encouraging sign of increased local representation.
As expected, Chelle has kept faith with the core group that led Nigeria to the AFCON final last year. Key names like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and captain William Troost-Ekong are all present. These players will undoubtedly form the backbone of the team in the upcoming qualifiers as Nigeria look to turn around a disappointing start to the campaign.
Who’s New?
Chelle has wasted no time adding fresh faces to the Super Eagles setup, with eight players earning their first-ever call-ups to the national team. From the NPL, Bankole, Onyebuchi and midfielder Mustapha have all been rewarded for their impressive domestic form.
Joining them from abroad is Igoh Ogbu of Slavia Prague, who has been turning heads in Czechia, while Anthony Dennis of Goztepe and Getafe youngster Chrisantus Uche will add further competition in midfield.
In attack, Chelle has called up Jerome Akor Adams, recently signed by Sevilla, and Tolu Arokodare, who has been making a big impact at league leaders Genk in Belgium, sitting as this season’s top scorer in the Belgian Pro League.
Who Missed Out?
While the squad is stacked, there are still room for some omissions, as Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi misses out. There had been strong rumours that Chelsea duo Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu had submitted paperwork to switch international allegiance to Nigeria from England and France respectively. However, neither has been included in Chelle’s provisional list.
Chuba Akpom is another name we anticipated seeing. Reports suggested he was in line for his first senior call-up, but he has been overlooked on this occasion. Another notable absence is Gift Orban, who has rediscovered his goalscoring form with Hoffenheim, but is yet to receive a Super Eagles call-up.
Ultimately, Chelle’s large provisional squad creates intense competition and will give the coach plenty to consider ahead of the final squad announcement. With only 23 players able to travel, some big names are going to miss out.
Nigeria face group leaders Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before returning home to take on Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25. After a poor start to qualification, the Super Eagles must collect maximum points from both fixtures to reignite their bid for the 2026 World Cup.
Full Provisional Nigeria Squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United); Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Zaidu Sanusi (Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czechia); Jordan Torunarigha (Gent, Belgium); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Joe Aribo (Southampton, England); Anthony Dennis (Goztepe, Turkey); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough, England); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Southampton, England); Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)
The provisional Super Eagles squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers has been released ????
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