Eric Chelle has finalized his 23-man Super Eagles squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, featuring key players Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
However, Ahmed Musa's anticipated return, his first since the 2023 AFCON, has been thwarted. William Troost-Ekong will now lead the team against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Chelle has also included four new faces, blending experience with fresh talent. Home-based stars Papa Mustapha and Kayode Bankole receive call-ups, showcasing the coach's intent to explore domestic options.
Recovering from injury just in time proved insufficient for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Maduka Okoye, as they missed out on the final squad.
Chelle era kicks off as Super Eagles fight to recover in WCQ
Nigeria's qualification campaign is in jeopardy, with three draws and a loss from their first four games. The upcoming matches against Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, 2025, and Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25, 2025, are crucial.
With only the group winner guaranteed automatic qualification, Chelle's side must secure maximum points to revive the Super Eagles' 2026 World Cup dreams.
Full Super Eagles squad
Goalkeepers
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)
Defenders
- William Ekong (Al Khalood, Saudi Arabia), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Midfielders
- Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England, USA), Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton, England).
Forwards
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Simon Moses (Nantes, France), Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain), Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).
