Labbadia calls up Osimhen, Troost-Ekong, 21 others for AFCON qualifiers
Super Eagles new head coach Bruno Labbadia has included Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in his first squad and recalled captain William Troost-Ekong for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Benin Republic and Rwanda in September.
Former Germany and Bayern Munich striker Labbadia was confirmed as Finidi George’s replacement on Tuesday and his first matches in charge are the AFCON qualifiers.
Nottingham Forest pair Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi are also back in the Super Eagles squad after missing the World Cup qualifying matches in June.
This year’s AFCON Player of the Tournament Ekong also missed the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June as he was recovering from injury, while Aina, Awoniyi and reigning Africa Player of the Year Osimhen were all injured.
There are three goalkeepers in the squad, including AFCON 2023 star, Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards.
Bendel Insurance safe hands Amas Obasogie also returns, just as South Africa-based defender Olisa Ndah.
The Super Eagles go up against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, September 7, before flying to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium three days later.
All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, September 2, according to the Nigeria Football Federation.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
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 (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards:
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
