The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced a 31-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
The two games against Rwanda and South Africa are a must win for the Super Eagles who trail table leaders Bafana Bafana (13) by 6 points and stay 4th place on 7 points after 6 matches.
Head coach Eric Chelle has named a squad almost entirely composed of overseas-based players, with only young goalkeeper Harcourt Ebenezer playing in Nigeria.
Despite leading the CHAN Eagles at the ongoing African Nations Championship, where his side managed just one win and two defeats to exit at the group stage. He choose to pick only Ebenezer Harcourt who featured in the last game group game against Congo.
Chelle includes key figures such as captain William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi.
Victor Osimhen scored 3 goals in 2 games during the last qualifying round. Photo Credit: X
Notably absent are Semi Ajayi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera Ejuke, Zaidu Sanusi, and Jordan Torunrigha.
Meanwhile, U20 goalkeeping sensation Ebenezer Harcourt earns his first call-up following an impressive showing at CHAN 2024, while Chidozie Awaziem returns alongside Terem Moffi, Adebayo Adeleye, and Akor Adams.
The squad includes four goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili, Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye, and Harcourt Ebenezer. Defenders named are William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Igoh Ogbu, Chidozie Awaziem, Felix Agu, and Benjamin Fredricks.
Felix Agu (Image credit: Getty Images)
Midfield options comprise Alexander Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, and Christantus Uche.
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The forward line features Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Sadiq Umar, Tolu Arokodare, Terem Moffi, and Akor Adams.
Image Credit: NFF/X
Nigeria will face Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on the 6th of September, before traveling to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa three days later.
In the first leg of this match up, Nigeria defeated Rwanda 2-0 in Kigali with a brace from Osimhen in Eric Chelle’s first game in charge.
The first-leg tie against South Africa under former gaffer Finidi George ended in a 1-1 draw.
South Africa, who recently named a 48-man squad dominated by players from the domestic Premier Soccer League, currently top Group C and will enjoy home-ground familiarity in both games against Lesotho and Nigeria.
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The provisional squad sets the stage for the final 23-man list, which will be confirmed ahead of the September fixtures.
