Eric Chelle Names Final 23-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle has officially announced the final 23-man Super Eagles squad for this month’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
After trimming down his provisional 39-man squad, Chelle has opted for a mix of experience and fresh talent as Nigeria aims to bounce back from a poor start to their qualification campaign.
Key Selections & Major Omissions
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) and Ademola Lookman (Atalanta) will spearhead the Super Eagles’ attack.
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United) retains his place as the first-choice goalkeeper.
- William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood) and Calvin Bassey (Fulham) anchor the defense.
- Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) and Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge) lead the midfield.
- Tolu Arokodare (Genk) and Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars) make surprise inclusions.
- Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Paul Onuachu (Southampton), Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagümrük), and Maduka Okoye (Udinese) are notable absentees.
Despite his impressive return from injury with Udinese, Okoye misses out, while Ahmed Musa and Cyriel Dessers are also left out.
Super Eagles’ World Cup Qualifying Fixtures
- Rwanda vs Nigeria – March 21, 2025 🇷🇼
- Nigeria vs Zimbabwe – March 25, 2025 🇳🇬
Both matches are must-win games for Nigeria, who have drawn three and lost one of their opening World Cup qualifiers. Chelle, appointed in January, will be looking for a strong start in his first official games in charge.
Official Super Eagles 23-Man Squad for Rwanda & Zimbabwe
Goalkeepers
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
- Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
- Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)
Defenders
- William Troost-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 (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)
- Joe Aribo (Southampton FC, England)
- Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria)
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Forwards
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
- Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
- Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain)
- Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Tolu Arokodare (Genk, Belgium)
