Chelle names Super Eagles final squad for World Cup qualifiers

FILE: Nigeria’s players pose ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2023 semi-final football match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on February 7, 2024. (Photograph: Issouf SANOGO / AFP)
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, unveiled his final 23-man squad on Tuesday ahead of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Last week, Chelle had released an expanded provisional squad of 39 players, and these upcoming fixtures will mark his debut as head coach of the three-time African champions.

The squad includes a balanced mix of experienced players and promising newcomers, with three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards selected.

Here is the full squad list:

Goalkeepers: Amas Obasogie, Kayode Bankole, Stanley Nwabali.

Defenders: Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Igoh Ogbu, William Troost-Ekong.

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Alhassan Yusuf, Joe Aribo, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Raphael Onyedika, Wilfred Ndidi.

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