Musa Returns As Chelle Unveils Super Eagles’ Provisional Squad For World Cup Qualifiers

Super Eagles head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has included Kano Pillars forward Ahmed Musa in his provisional squad for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. This marks Musa’s return to the national team for the first time since the AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Musa headlines the 39-man provisional list released by the new head coach yesterday. Genk striker Tolu Arokodare also makes the cut, following his impressive tally of 15 goals in the Belgian Jupiler League this season.

Among the fresh faces in Chelle’s provisional squad are Anthony Dennis (FC Göztepe), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), and Slavia Prague’s Igoh Ogbu.

The squad sees the return of Kayode Bankole, the Remo Stars goalkeeper, and Southampton forward Paul Onuachu, as Nigeria aims to rekindle their hopes of qualification.

The provisional list includes prominent players such as captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Stanley Nwabali, Adeleye Adebayo, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Simon Moses.

Further inclusions comprise goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, as well as forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.

Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, along with forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams, have received their first call-ups. Additionally, home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella could make a return if they are included in the final squad of 23 players.

Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C, trailing behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. The Super Eagles will first face group leaders Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21st March, before squaring off against Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later.