Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released his final squad of 23 players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, cutting 16 players from the provisional list.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday that Chelle dropped veteran Kano Pillars forward Ahmed Musa, Middlesbrough striker Kelechi Iheanacho, Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Celtic striker Cyriel Dessers from the 39-man provisional squad.
The final squad includes goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Kayode Bankole, defenders William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen.
Also in the final list are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.
Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu makes the final cut, alongside home-based midfielder Papa Daniel, and Belgium-based forward Tolu Arokodare.
The Super Eagles will face Group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later.
23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders:
William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Midfielders:
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards:
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
