The Super Eagles' Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle has trimmed down the original 39-player roster to a finalized list of 23 athletes ahead of this month’s critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Significant exclusions from the team consist of Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Maduka Okoye, Cyriel Dessers, and Uche Chrisantus—these players were part of the 16 athletes let go before the crucial matches.
The strategist from Mali has selected goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Kayode Bankole, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, along with forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Moses Simon for the concluding roster slated to face Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The final roster also includes defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, along with forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.
The Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu has made the final selection, along with the home-based midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha and the Belgium-based forward Tolu Arokodare.
On Friday, March 21st, Nigeria will face group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali. Four days after this match, they will play against Zimbabwe's Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES SELECTED FOR THE RWANDA AND ZIMBABWE MATCHES
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amos Obasogie (Singida BlackStars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forward: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia CF, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).
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