World Cup Qualifiers: Chelle names Musa, Ekong, Lookman, Osimhen for Rwanda, Zimbabwe clashes

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 39-man provisional squad for this month’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Nigeria sits fifth in Group C behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic and Lesotho. The Super Eagles will square up with Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21, before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on March 25.

The squad features a mix of experienced players and newcomers. Among the notable inclusions are; Stanley Nwabali, Adeleye Adebayo, William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina. Others are Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses.

Read Also: Five positive attributes of new Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle

Maduka Okoye, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar also made the list.

Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams are named for the first time, Kayode Bankole, Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella, if they eventually make the final list of 23.

Full LIST OF 39 PLAYERS FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, Belgium); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)

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 (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK, Turkey); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC, England); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England); Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)