Nigeria’s Head Coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has announced a provisional squad of 39 players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The Super Eagles, currently fifth in Group C, will face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 and host Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25.
❗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)
Notably, this list includes first-time call-ups for defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams.
Additionally, there are potential returns for goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella, pending the final selection of 23 players.
The Super Eagles aim to improve their standing in Group C with strong performances in these crucial fixtures.
