Injury-doubtful Stanley Nwabali has been included in the 23-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as announced by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. Notably, Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface is a notable omission.
In a statement made available on the Super Eagles’ social media pages on Friday, the selection for the matches against Rwanda and South Africa features many of the team’s key players.
The roster includes prominent figures such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, and Wilfred Ndidi.
Other established names like Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, and Calvin Bassey have also been called up.
Boniface has recently faced a challenging period. His potential loan transfer to Italian club AC Milan from Bayer Leverkusen was cancelled due to medical issues, which is believed to be the reason for his absence from the national team.
In his place, Chelle brought in some new faces who impressed during the 2025 Unity Cup in London: Felix Agu, Benjamin Fredericks, and Christantus Uche.
The Super Eagles are set to play Rwanda on September 6 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, followed by an away match against South Africa on September 9.
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Nigeria is currently in fourth place in Group B with seven points from six matches, and they must win their remaining games to have any hope of qualifying for the World Cup.
The list
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
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); 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); 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); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).
