After a long wait, the Super Eagles of Nigeria list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe was announced last Wednesday.
New head coach Eric Chelle unveiled a bloated 39-man provisional squad for the two crucial encounters.
Following the announcement of the list, eyebrows were raised as regards invitation to certain players.
In this piece, Sportingtimes.ng’s KOREDE JAMES lists 10 players who should not have been included by the Super Eagles coaching crew.
MADUKA OKOYE
Maduka Okoye has been sidelined since December 2024 after suffering a wrist injury.
The 25-year-old has been out of action for over two months due to the injury and had to undergo surgery.
But the good news is that Okoye could return to action ahead of Udinese’s trip to Rome to face Lazio on Monday in a league clash.
Speaking in his press conference on Saturday, Udinese coach Kosta Runjaic said: “It’s not an easy decision about the goalkeeper, I’ve been thinking about it for days. (Daniele) Padelli played a great match against Parma thanks to his experience and his quality, saving the result; Okoye is available, he trained well, but he hasn’t played recently. I’ll make the decision on Monday.”
Despite the encouraging news, a call-up to the Super Eagles for such crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures might come too early for Okoye who has been out for long and is facing an investigation over betting breaches.
KELECHI IHEANACHO
Expectations were high when Kelechi Iheanacho joined LaLiga outfit Sevilla last summer from Leicester City.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned as Iheanacho failed to impress, firing blanks in nine league matches.
His only goals (three) for the UEFA Europa League record winners came in the Copa del Rey.
Following his unimpressive performance, he was shipped out on loan to Championship club Middlesbrough where he is yet to also score after five league outings.
Following his poor displays for both Sevilla and Middlesbrough, it came as a surprise that he was included in the Super Eagles provisional 39-man list for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
It would come as a bigger shock if he makes the final list for the fixtures, no thanks to his recent poor form.
AKOR ADAMS
After making just one appearance since his January transfer move from Montpellier to Sevilla, Akor Adams has been out since February with a thigh injury.
But Sevilla coach Xavi Pimienta revealed on Friday that Adams has been working with their rehabilitation coach.
Pimienta stated that the striker needs to undergo tests to see if he can be available next week but believes he needs to fully recover first.
Being dropped from the final shortlist should not raise eyebrows especially for a player who only earned his first call-up and who would find it difficult to dislodge the more established strikers.
PAUL ONUACHU
One player who has failed to stamp his authority in the Super Eagles attack is Paul Onuachu and it should not be a cause for concern if he is dropped from the final list.
Onuachu has been part of a Southampton side who are destined for relegation as they remain bottom in the league table.
The striker’s poor returns in front of goal could be one of the reasons the Saints would eventually go down, as he could only boast two goals in 18 league appearances this season.
Since scoring the winner in a 2-1 triumph over Ipswich Town on February 1, Onuachu has gone five straight games without getting on the score sheet.
ANTHONY DENNIS
Anthony Dennis has featured heavily for Goztepe in middield this season with 20 appearances under his belt.
Goztepe are not doing badly in the Turkish Super Lig, as they are currently in sixth place in the league table, just eight points from a European qualification spot.
Leaving Dennis out of the final cut should not be a bad idea due to the nature and pressure of the two qualifiers.
A friendly game would have been the perfect setting to assess him properly where he would play with less pressure.
IGOH OGBU
Just like Anthony Dennis, another player who should sit this one out is Slavia Prague defender Igoh Ogbu.
No doubt, Ogbu has done well for Slavia Prague this campaign, featuring in 19 league matches, but there are enough experienced heads in the Super Eagles to take care of business.
However, he is one player that can still be considered for future call-ups but definitely not for a high-profile one that is just few weeks away.
AHMED MUSA
Currently at Kano Pillars and doing well, Ahmed Musa is one player whose contribution to the success of the Super Eagles can never be waved away.
He has been a great servant to the senior national team, but it is time he moved on.
Some will argue that his wealth of experience will be needed, especially in crucial games like the ones coming up.
But others will argue that most of the current Super Eagles players are also experienced enough to know what is at stake.
Among the present crop of players, there are those who have featured at the World Cup, Africa Cup of Nations and various qualifiers.
Also, most of them were part of the side that failed to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, so they don’t need extra motivation from Musa to know the task that is before them.
IFEANYI ONYEBUCHI
The Enugu Rangers defender is one of four Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players who made the provisional squad.
Onyebuchi’s inclusion is an indication that he is doing something great and has been rewarded with a Super Eagles call-up.
But making the final cut would be a tall order for him no thanks to his lack of experience ahead of two high-pressure games.
KAYODE BANKOLE
The 22-year-old shot stopper is one of the reasons Remo Stars are top in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
It did not come as a surprise that he made the Super Eagles provisional squad for the qualifiers.
But it would be tough to see how he would be picked ahead of other goalkeepers who have the experience of being in the team before.
FISAYO DELE-BASHIRU
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has been part of the Super Eagles and has contributed in terms of goal scoring.
He scored against South Africa in the 1-1 draw in Uyo in the World Cup qualifiers and also got the winner when the Eagles beat Libya 1-0 during qualifiers for the AFCON 2025.
Unfortunately, an ankle injury forced him out of action since February but according to Lazio coach Marco Baroni, he is expected to return before the international break.
The question is whether the Super Eagles coaching crew would want to risk a player who has been out of action since February for two very important fixtures?
