The final Super Eagles squad list has reached the NFF, and Afrik-Foot NG can exclusively reveal that Eric Chelle has rung the changes from June’s squad.
Form and unsettled futures have forced adjustments, with a handful of surprising names both in and out. Injury doubts have not, however, prevented Stanley Nwabali’s inclusion. The goalkeeper, who limped off in midweek action for Chippa United, remains Nigeria’s first choice and will report to camp in Uyo.
On the other end of the spectrum, Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface misses out, his unsettled club situation proving costly. In his stead, Cyriel Dessers finally earns a proper homecoming. The Rangers striker has long been on the fringes: his previous Nigeria outings have all been in friendlies abroad, never in the white-hot intensity of qualifiers or at a major tournament.
His turn at the Unity Cup in June, scoring against Ghana, then assisting in the final versus Jamaica hinted at a player capable of both leading the line and linking play. Now, at last, Dessers gets the stage.
Super Eagles face make-or-break World Cup qualification battle
Also recalled is Benjamin Frederick, the young centre-back who impressed for Nigeria at the Unity Cup and has been making steady progress at Dender FC in Belgium. Chidozie Awaziem, absent for years, rides back into the fold on the back of a resurgence at Nantes.
The Super Eagles open camp on September 2 ahead of back-to-back 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda in Uyo and South Africa in Bloemfontein.
With only seven points from six games, Nigeria sit fourth in Group C, six adrift of leaders South Africa. Only the nine group winners are guaranteed a spot at next year’s expanded 48-team finals. The four best runners-up from Africa’s ten groups will go into play-offs, chasing a back-door route via the intercontinental tournament.
Qualification remains alive, but Chelle’s men must sharpen in attack and rediscover conviction.
