Super Eagles head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has unveiled a 39-man provisional squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe this month.
The squad features key players like goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, as well as forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Moses Simon.
Also included are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sadiq Umar.
For the first time, defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams have earned call-ups. Additionally, home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella could return if they make the final 23-man squad.
Fixture Details
Nigeria, currently fifth in Group C, trails Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. The Super Eagles will face group leaders Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Friday, March 21, before hosting Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later.
Nigeria’s 39-Man Provisional Squad for Rwanda & Zimbabwe Matches
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, Nigeria)
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, Nigeria)
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, Nigeria)
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)
Moses Simon (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, Nigeria)
Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)