Head Coach Eric Chelle has named a provisional 31-man squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa next month, with captain William Ekong leading a star-studded list.
The Franco-Malian tactician has selected first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Simon Moses for the make-or-break fixtures.
The squad also features youthful goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, alongside forwards Sadiq Umar and Nathan Tella.
Several players who impressed at the 2025 Unity Cup Tournament that Nigeria won in London during the summer have been rewarded with call-ups, including young defender Benjamin Fredericks, Felix Agu, Igoh Ogbu, midfielder Christantus Uche and forward Cyriel Dessers.
There are also returns for goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defender Chidozie Awaziem, and forward Terem Moffi as Chelle looks to revive Nigeria’s faltering World Cup qualification campaign.
Fourth-placed Nigeria currently sit precariously in their qualifying group with just seven points from six matches, a disappointing return that includes only one victory – a 2-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali.
Three draws and a shock defeat to the Benin Republic have left the Super Eagles chasing the group leaders, with South Africa topping the group on 13 points, followed by Rwanda and Benin on eight points each.
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 6 September, in the matchday seven encounter, before flying to Bloemfontein to confront South Africa in a potentially explosive game on Tuesday, 9 September.
Nigeria’s camp for the two crucial matches will open in Uyo on Monday, 1 September, as Chelle prepares his team for what could prove to be decisive fixtures in their qualification campaign.
Only the group winners will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, meaning Nigeria must secure maximum points and hope for favourable results elsewhere to revive their qualification hopes.
With four matches left to play, the pressure is mounting on Chelle, who has been under scrutiny following Nigeria’s early exit from the African Nations Championship in Tanzania, where they crashed out of the group stage with defeats to Senegal and Sudan.
The 31-man provisional squad includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, and 11 forwards, reflecting Chelle’s intention to have attacking options at his disposal for the crucial fixtures.
The goalkeepers in the provisional squad are Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Adeleye Adebayo, and Ebenezer Harcourt of Sporting FC. The defensive options include Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Aina, Osayi-Samuel, Onyemaechi, Igoh Ogbu, Chidozie Awaziem, Felix Agu, and Benjamin Fredericks.
The midfield features Iwobi of Fulham, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Wilfred Ndidi, Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, and Uche.
The attacking options are led by Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Osimhen, Moses Simon, Victor Boniface, Dessers, Sadiq Umar, Tella, Tolu Arokodare, Terem Moffi, and Akor Adams.
