Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has announced a 35-man provisional squad for the pivotal 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Coach Eric Chelle who since his appointment in January has been spotted watching the domestic league, has understandably called up some Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) stars for the games, offering more options to the Super Eagles who are in dire need of a revival to qualify for the competition billed for the US, Canada and Mexico.
Captain Ahmed Musa makes his return to the squad for the first time since the 2023 AFCON, alongside assistant captain William Troost-Ekong and midfielder Joe Aribo.
Chelle has introduced six new faces, blending experience with emerging talent.
Home-based players Papa Mustapha, Kayode Bankole, and Ifeanyi Emmanuel Onyebuchi have earned call-ups, highlighting the coach’s commitment to scouting domestic talent.
Despite fitness concerns, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (ankle injury), Jerome Akor Adams, and Maduka Okoye—who has been out since December—are included in the squad.
Nigeria are currently fourth in the five-team Group C African qualification series for the 2026 World Cup. The 2013 champions have managed just three points from four games played so far.
Rwanda led the group with seven points followed by South Africa who also have the same points but have an inferior goal difference.
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Full Super Eagles squad:
Goalkeepers
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania), Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Neon Paralimni, Cyprus), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)
Defenders
William Ekong (Al Khalood, Saudi Arabia), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece), Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Jordan Torunarigha (Gent, Belgium), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)
Midfielders
Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England, USA), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany), Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton, England), Anthony Dennis (Goztepe, Turkey), Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain)
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 (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain), Paul Onuachu (Southampton, England), Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars, Nigeria) and Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)