2026 WQC: Chelle Sets For Training With 20 Eagles In Polokwane

Super Eagles head coach Eric Sekou Chelle is preparing for the Super Eagles’ second training session on Wednesday in Polokwane, with a squad of 20 players ready to gear up for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Crocodiles of Lesotho this Friday.

By Tuesday night, 18 players had settled in at The Ranch Hotel, with Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Jerome Akor Adams expected to join the team on Wednesday. Additionally, United States-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi is anticipated to arrive in South Africa on Thursday.

Chelle has made adjustments to the squad following injuries to defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and forward Cyriel Dessers. He has brought in Sanusi and Crystal Palace’s Christantus Uche to fill the gaps. An injury to wing-back Felix Agu has already decreased the squad from its original 23 to 22.

Notably, Russia-based former junior international Olakunle Olusegun is still awaiting an entry visa into South Africa, which means the Eagles may have to face Lesotho with a reduced squad of 21 players.

The eagerly awaited Matchday 9 encounter is scheduled for the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, October 10, 2025, kicking off at 6:00 PM local time (5:00 PM Nigerian time).

Squad for the Clash Against Lesotho:

Goalkeepers:
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
– Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
– Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)

Defenders:
– William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia)
– Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
– Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England)
– Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
– Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece)
– Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders:
– Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
– Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
– Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA)
– Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey)
– Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)

Forwards:
– Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy)
– Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England)
– Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
– Simon Moses (Paris FC, France)
– Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)
– Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
– Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain).