Super Eagles

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-player squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs, blending experience and youth to chase Africa’s sole ticket to the intercontinental showdown.

The Malian tactician included captain William Troost-Ekong, star striker Victor Osimhen, reliable goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey as cornerstones. Chelle also called up 89-cap midfielder Alex Iwobi, promising defender Benjamin Fredericks, midfield anchors Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and attackers Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman for firepower.

Recalls feature goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Sevilla-based forward Chidera Ejuke, alongside midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olusegun Olakunle. The roster omits top Turkish scorer Paul Onuachu, sparking fan reactions over the bold selection.

Players will converge in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, November 10, flying in from Europe and beyond. Nigeria kicks off against Gabon in the first semi-final at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan on Thursday, November 13. Victory sets up a final against the winner of Cameroon vs DR Congo on November 16, with the champion advancing to the March 2026 intercontinental playoffs.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)

Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olusegun Olakunle (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

With Osimhen leading the line after his hat-trick heroics against Benin, Chelle’s men are primed for a redemption arc.