Ahmed Musa, Sadiq Umar Return as Éric Chelle Names First Super Eagles Squad

Ahmed Musa and Sadiq Umar have been recalled to the Super Eagles as head coach Éric Sékou Chelle unveils his first squad since taking charge in January.

The provisional 39-man squad for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe includes key names like goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Simon Moses.

Also making the list are Maduka Okoye, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, along with returning forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sadiq Umar.

Several players have received their first-ever call-ups, including defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, as well as forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams.

There is also the possibility of recalls for home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella, should they make the final 23-man squad.

Currently sitting fifth in Group C, Nigeria faces a must-win situation. They will take on group leaders Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on March 21, followed by a crucial home game against Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on March 25.

Nigeria’s Provisional Squad for Rwanda, Zimbabwe Qualifiers

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)