Nigeria’s Head Coach, Éric Chelle, has named a provisional squad of 39 players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month, Lapalabras reports.
The squad features exciting new call-ups, including Chrisantus Uche, Papa Mustapha, Igoh Ogbu, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Adams.
This marks a major step in Chelle’s efforts to build a dynamic team for the crucial qualifiers.
The Super Eagles, currently sitting in fifth place in Group C, face a tough battle in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria will travel to Kigali to face leaders Rwanda on March 21, before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later.
Both matches are vital, as the Eagles aim to climb the standings and secure a spot in the global tournament.
Notable returns include Eagles most capped player Ahmed Musa, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Zaidu Sanusi and Jordan Torunarigha in the lead-up to the qualifiers.
The provisional list also sees the inclusion of several key players who have been stalwarts for the Super Eagles in recent years.
These include Premier League stars Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, as well as top striker Victor Osimhen.
The games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe are critical for Nigeria’s World Cup hopes.
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).
