Super Eagles Coach Éric Chelle Unveils 23-Man Squad For 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Super Eagles’ Head Coach Éric Chelle has announced his 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Notably, former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was dropped from the final list, while Sadiq Umar, Igoh Ogbu, and Tolu Arokodare made the cut.

According to report by the News Agency of Nigeria, former Super Eagles captain Musa was amongst 38 others who were initially selected in a provisional list ahead of the qualifiers.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Tuesday noted that Musa was dropped with the likes of Sadiq Umar, Igoh Ogbu and Tolu Arokodare making the final list.

“Chelle has named goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Kayode Bankole, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina in his final list of 23 players for the qualifying matches.

“Others include; midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses.

“Also in the final list are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Umar.

“Czech Republic-based defender Ogbu makes the final cut, alongside home-based midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha, and Belgium-based forward Arokodare,”he said.

Nigeria will confront group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21st March before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later. NAN

LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE GAMES

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, and Kayode Bankole

Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, and Igoh Ogbu

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Alex Iwobi, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and Papa Daniel Mustapha

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Simon Moses, Sadiq Umar, Nathan Tella, and Tolu Arokodare

The upcoming matches include, Nigeria vs. Rwanda in Kigali on March 21st
Nigeria vs. Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on March 25th.