Ahmed Musa Leads Veteran Comeback as Coach Chelle Unveils a Blend of Experience and Rising Stars for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers
The Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has announced his first provisional squad as Nigeria gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
In a significant boost for the team, captain Ahmed returns to the squad alongside vice-captain William Troost-Ekong and midfielder Joe Aribo. Chelle’s 35-man list blends experience with fresh talent, including six new players, three of whom are home-based stars: Papa Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), and Ifeanyi Emmanuel Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers).
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda in an away clash in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Nigeria on March 25.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers:
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
- Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)
- Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
- Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Neon Paralimni, Cyprus)
- Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)
Defenders:
- William Troost-Ekong (Al Khalood, Saudi Arabia)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
- Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France)
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England)
- Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
- Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
- Jordan Torunarigha (Gent, Belgium)
- Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)
Midfielders:
- Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria)
- Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England, USA)
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
- Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany)
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England)
- Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton, England)
- Anthony Dennis (Goztepe, Turkey)
- Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain)
Forwards:
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
- Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough, England)
- Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Moses Simon (Nantes, France)
- Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain)
- Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
- Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
- Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain)
- Paul Onuachu (Southampton, England)
- Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)
- Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)
The Super Eagles are poised to make a strong start in the 2026 World Cup qualification.
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