Super Eagles head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has announced a provisional squad ahead of Nigeria’s pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Rwanda.
As the three-time African champions prepare for two pivotal games that might determine their qualification campaign, the roster was revealed on Friday and includes a mix of largely European-based players and a few domestic league players.
Even though the entire roster will be cut before the games, the addition of important players like Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Osimhen gives the team a significant boost.
In an effort to reinvigorate the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle also granted call-ups to a few up-and-coming Nigerian players who have stood out in recent months.
In what is sure to be a high-stakes match, Nigeria will first play Rwanda away before hosting South Africa. Both opponents have shown themselves to be challenging in prior qualifiers, and the Super Eagles will be under pressure to earn as many points as possible following a shaky start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.
See the 31-man provisional list released by Chelle below:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC).
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Nantes, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Frederick (Dender FC, Belgium).
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş JK, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain).
Strikers: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Rangers FC, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain).
