Nigeria’s Super Eagles have unveiled a final 23-man squad for next month’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa, with captain William Troost-Ekong and prolific striker Victor Osimhen leading the charge.
Also making the cut are midfielders Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, alongside forwards Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers and Moses Simon. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali retains his spot after his stellar performances at the Africa Cup of Nations, while defenders Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel also feature.
Greece-based shot-stopper Adeleye Adebayo returns to the squad, joined by Unity Cup revelations Felix Agu and Benjamin Fredericks. Forwards Christantus Uche and Tolu Arokodare, who impressed in the June 6 friendly against Russia in Moscow, were also rewarded with call-ups.
However, from the initial 31-man provisional list, eight players were dropped as the squad was trimmed to 23. They are:
Ebenezer Harcourt (goalkeeper)
Igoh Ogbu (defender)
Alhassan Yusuf (midfielder)
Victor Boniface (forward)
Sadiq Umar (forward)
Adams Akor (forward)
Nathan Tella (forward)
Terem Moffi (forward)
The Super Eagles will host Rwanda’s Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday, September 6, before travelling to Bloemfontein for a September 9 showdown with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
Both fixtures are widely regarded as decisive in Nigeria’s quest for a seventh FIFA World Cup appearance.
FINAL LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
Erizia Rubyjeana
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