Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced his final 23-man squad ahead of Nigeria’s all-important 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe on March 21 and 25 respectively, Footynaija.com reports.
Chelle’s final selection has been trimmed out of a 39-man provisional squad list released last week monday and the Franco-Malian manager has made some big calls, leaving out some of the established Super Eagles stars many would have tipped to make the final cut.
In this article, Footynaija.com takes a look at some winners and losers from Chelle’s final selection.
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Losers
4. Maduka Okoye
The Udinese shot-stopper has been ignored by Eric Chelle despite making his return from injury against Lazio over the weekend. Whether Okoye’s omission comes as a result of fitness worries or the ongoing investigation regarding the betting allegations against him, the fact remains that this is a missed opportunity for the goalkeeper.
3. Frank Onyeka
Onyeka was a crucial part of the last Super Eagles squad that faced Benin Republic and Rwanda in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers back in November 2024. However, the Augsburg midfielder has now lost his place in the national squad to NPFL star Papa Daniel Mustapha.
2. Kelechi Iheanacho
Iheanacho, ordinarily a household name when it comes to the Super Eagles, has been excluded from the squad by Eric Chelle ahead of the upcoming games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The 28-year-old’s struggles at club level have ultimately hampered his prospects with the national team.
1. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Dele-Bashiru’s unfortunate injury struggles have seen him left out of the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualification games. Before his injury, the Lazio man was in fine form and his talents would definitely have come in handy for the Super Eagles. What a shame!
Winners
4. Kayode Bankole
Bankole has had an outstanding season in the Nigeria Professional Football League with Remo Stars, who currently hold a sizable lead at the top of the table and are on course to win the league. His selection in Chelle’s squad is an acknowledgement of his impressive performances in Nigeria’s top-flight league, serving as an inspiration to many NPFL players.
3. Papa Daniel Mustapha
The 23-year-old Niger Tornadoes midfielder is perhaps Eric Chelle’s biggest surprise inclusion. Daniel has made the final cut for the huge games Rwanda and Zimbabwe at the expense of established stars like Onyeka and Dele-Bashiru. This is certainly a massive achievement for the NPFL star.
2. Igoh Ogbu
Ogbu’s sensational performances in defence for Slavia Prague has earned him a place on Chelle’s final 23-man list for the Super Eagles’ crunch clashes against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The former Sogndal center-back will now be looking to cap a wonderful couple of months with making his first senior appearance for Nigeria.
1. Umar Sadiq
The lanky center-forward’s inclusion in Eric Chelle’s final squad shows just how much he has turned his season around. Despite enduring a difficult start to the campaign, Sadiq has found his scoring boots in Valencia and his recent run of four goals in four games for Los Che has done enough to convince Chelle that he deserves a place in the squad.
