Nigeria’s Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle has unveiled a provisional roster of 39 players for the Super Eagles’ upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month. The squad features a mix of established stars and promising newcomers as Nigeria aims to climb the Group C standings.
Leading the list are standout players such as captain William Ekong, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, and veteran Ahmed Musa. The goalkeeping department includes Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United and Maduka Okoye of Udinese FC, while defenders like Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC) and Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest) bolster the backline. Midfielders Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC) and Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) also make the cut, alongside forwards Simon Moses (FC Nantes) and Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan).
Several players are in line for their first senior national team call-ups, including defenders Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague) and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), midfielders Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK) and Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF), and forwards Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk) and Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC).
The Super Eagles will take on group leaders Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25.The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released the full provisional list, showcasing a blend of talent from across Europe, Africa, and Nigeria’s domestic league.
The final squad announcement is expected closer to the match dates as Coach Chelle fine-tunes his selections for these pivotal encounters.
The Super Eagles are currently fifth in Group C—trailing Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho.
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)