Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Sékou Chelle, has named a 31-man provisional squad ahead of the Super Eagles’ September qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The team will face Rwanda at Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio Stadium on September 6, before traveling to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa on September 9. With Nigeria currently languishing fourth in Group C, these matches are seen as must-win encounters for qualification hopes.
Veterans William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi lead the roster, providing experience and stability in defense and mid-field. Top scorer Victor Osimhen headlines the attack alongside Ademola Lookman, with additional firepower supplied by Victor Boniface, Simon Moses, and others.
Notably, the squad mix includes fresh talent and emerging stars. Ebenezer Harcourt, a 15-year-old goalkeeper, makes the leap from CHAN fame to the full national setup. Young defenders like Benjamin Fredericks, Felix Agu, and Igoh Ogbu also earned calls, while midfielders such as Raphael Onyedika and Christantus Uche and forwards like Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella showcase the team’s future foundation.
Iheanacho and Onuachu, however, were omitted from the squad, signaling Chelle’s shift toward fresh faces and tactical depth.
Full List
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla FC, Spain)
The Super Eagles will convene at camp in Uyo starting September 1 to prepare for these defining matches, crucial to reigniting Nigeria’s World Cup campaign.
