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Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a 31-man provisional squad for September’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, Footynaija.com reports.
The squad includes Arsenal academy graduates Alex Iwobi and Nathan Tella, while former Chelsea lad Ola Aina also returns. AC Milan-bound striker Victor Boniface is among the headline names called up despite a subdued last few months.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong leads a group that features first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen and Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman.
Young goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt earns a first invitation, with Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru also selected. Cyriel Dessers is rewarded with a recall following his strong form at the Unity Cup in London, where Nigeria were crowned champions.
Benjamin Fredericks, Felix Agu and Igoh Ogbu add depth in defence, while Christantus Uche strengthens the midfield. Goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, defender Chidozie Awaziem and striker Terem Moffi also return to the fold.
Nigeria, fourth in the group, host Rwanda in Uyo on 6 September before travelling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa three days later.
FULL LIST: Super Eagles provisional squad for WCQs against Rwanda and South Africa
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)
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); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); 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); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); 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); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla FC, Spain)
