Nigeria head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has named a 31-man provisional squad for September’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, as the Super Eagles look to kickstart their stuttering campaign.
Captain William Troost-Ekong returns to lead the squad, with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali amongst the headline selections announced by the Nigerian Football Federation on Friday.
The squad features a blend of established internationals and emerging talent, with Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Nottingham Forest defender Olaoluwa Aina all recalled.
Chelle has also rewarded several young prospects who impressed during Nigeria’s Unity Cup triumph in London this summer, handing call-ups to goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defender Benjamin Fredericks and midfielder Christantus Uche.
The Malian coach has recalled goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defender Chidozie Awaziem and striker Terem Moffi as he looks to strengthen his squad depth ahead of two potentially decisive fixtures.
“These matches are crucial to our qualification journey,” Chelle said, explaining his selection sought to balance “experience with youthful hunger.”
Nigeria currently sit fourth in Group C and face an uphill battle to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Super Eagles will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 6 September, before travelling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa four days later.
The squad will gather in Uyo on Monday, 1 September, for preparations ahead of the Rwanda clash.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham); Frank Onyeka (Brentford); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Rangers); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla, Spain)
Tags: Nigeria, World Cup qualifiers, Super Eagles, Victor Osimhen, Eric Sekou Chelle, Rwanda, South Africa, William Troost-Ekong, 2026 World Cup, African football
