Super Eagles’ Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle has announced his final list of 23 players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, leaving out Captain Ahmed Musa and Southampton striker Paul Onuachu.
Both players were initially included in the provisional squad of 29 released last week. However, Chelle’s final selection, made public on Tuesday, saw the exclusion of the experienced duo. In contrast, Onuachu’s teammate at Southampton, Joe Aribo, has been named in the squad.
The final list features goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Kayode Bankole, alongside defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina. The midfield contingent includes Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, with an attacking line comprising Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Simon Moses.
Other notable inclusions are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, as well as forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.
Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu makes the squad alongside home-based midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha and Belgium-based forward Tolu Arokodare.
Nigeria will face Group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21st March, before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later.
The 23 Super Eagles for Rwanda and Zimbabwe Matches:
Goalkeepers:
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
– Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
– Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders:
– William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia)
– Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey)
– Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece)
– Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
– Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
– Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Midfielders:
– Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
– Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
– Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA)
– Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
– Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England)
– Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards:
– Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
– Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
– Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
– Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
– Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France)
– Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain)
– Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
– Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
