Two home boys in the squad as Chelle names his final army against Rwanda and Zimbabwe

Eric Chelle has selected 23 players for the Super Eagles’ final 23 players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards.

In the squad are two home boys, Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole and Niger Tornadoes’ Papa Daniel Mustapha.

Both were also in the Nigerian squad that qualified for the African Nations Championship.

The others are the regulars except for the return of some previously exempted ones like Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain) who is being recalled after his last-minute drop out of the AFCON 2023 squad and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England).  

The first squad of Chelle include goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as well as defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina.

In the midfield are Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses.

Also in the final list are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forward, Samuel Chukwueze.

Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu makes the final cut, alongside Belgium-based forward Tolu Arokodare.  

Nigeria will confront group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21^st March before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later.

LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE GAMES

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas 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)

Forwards: 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 FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)