Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled his provisional 35-man squad ahead of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
This marks Chelle’s first squad announcement since taking charge of the Nigerian national team. The list blends experienced veterans with fresh home-based talents as Nigeria seeks to bounce back from their sluggish start in the qualification campaign.
Key Inclusions
Captain Ahmed Musa makes a surprise return to the squad, alongside vice-captain William Troost-Ekong and Joe Aribo. There’s also a debut call-up for six home-based players, including:
• Papa Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
• Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
• Ifeanyi Emmanuel Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers)
Fixtures
• Rwanda vs Nigeria – March 21 (Kigali)
• Nigeria vs Zimbabwe – March 25 (Home)
Full Squad List
GOALKEEPERS:
• Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
• Maduka Okoye (Udinese)
• Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars)
• Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Neon Paralimni)
• Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
DEFENDERS:
• William Troost-Ekong (Al Khalood)
• Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce)
• Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
• Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
• Jordan Torunarigha (Gent)
• Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers)
• Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos)
• Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague)
• Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre)
• Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)
MIDFIELDERS:
• Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
• Alex Iwobi (Fulham)
• Joe Aribo (Southampton)
• Frank Onyeka (Augsburg)
• Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
• Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio)
• Papa Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
• Alhassan Yusuf (New England)
• Christantus Uche (Getafe)
• Anthony Dennis (Goztepe)
FORWARDS:
• Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
• Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
• Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
• Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough)
• Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
• Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers)
• Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)
• Moses Simon (Nantes)
• Paul Onuachu (Southampton)
• Sadiq Umar (Valencia)
• Akor Adams (Sevilla)
• Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla)
• Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars)
• Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk)
What to Expect
Coach Chelle’s selection signals a bold new era for the Super Eagles, with a focus on youth and home-based players. Fans will be hoping the squad can bounce back from the team’s sluggish start to the qualification series.
The two fixtures are crucial for Nigeria as they currently sit third in Group C behind South Africa and Rwanda.
