By Abiola Olawale
Newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has named a 39-man provisional squad as Nigeria gears up for two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The New Diplomat reports that the squad, announced on Tuesday, includes a blend of seasoned stars and fresh faces, with Chelle set to trim the list to 23 players before the team’s camp opens in Kigali.
Leading the pack is defensive stalwart and captain William Troost-Ekong, who earned the Player of the Tournament award at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Nigeria finished as runners-up.
Troost-Ekong is joined by attacking heavyweights Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s second all-time top goalscorer currently on loan at Galatasaray, and Ademola Lookman, the reigning African Footballer of the Year playing for Atalanta.
Veteran forward Ahmed Musa also makes a return, alongside other familiar names like Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey.
Chelle, who took charge of the Super Eagles in January as the first non-Nigerian African to helm the team.
The Super Eagles are under pressure to deliver in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where they are currently in fifth place with just three points from four matches.
With qualification hopes hanging in the balance, Nigeria will face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25.
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)
