On Tuesday, March 4, Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle revealed a provisional list of 39 players for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The squad includes familiar stars 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 Simon Moses. They will be joined by 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 some players, this call-up is their first time on the squad, including defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams. There may also be a return for home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella, who could make the final 23-player list.
Nigeria, currently in fifth place in Group C, will face leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21, before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later.
Nigeria’s provisional list of 39 players for Rwanda, Zimbabwe:
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 Super Eagles are set to bring their best as they continue their journey toward the 2026 World Cup
