Nigeria’s head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has unveiled a provisional 39-man squad ahead of the Super Eagles’ crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
Star Names & New Faces
The squad includes key players like Stanley Nwabali, Adeleye Adebayo, William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Simon Moses.
Also making the cut are Maduka Okoye, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sadiq Umar.
Notably, Chelle has handed first-ever call-ups to defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, as well as forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams.
Meanwhile, Kayode Bankole, Jordan Torunarigha, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Cyriel Dessers, and Nathan Tella could make a return if they make the final 23-man squad.
Crunch Time for the Super Eagles
Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C, behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. The Super Eagles face a tough challenge as they take on group leaders Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, followed by a home clash against Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25.
Full Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus)
Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders
William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia)
Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce 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 (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, 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 FC, Italy)
Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany)
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England)
Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK, Turkey)
Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC, England)
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France)
Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain)
Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England)
Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars)
Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
The final 23-man squad will be announced in the coming days as Nigeria prepares to battle for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
