The Super Eagles of Nigeria will open camp tomorrow, ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali, before facing Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday, March 25.
Sitting fifth on the log with three points from four matches, Nigeria will reopen their World Cup qualifier campaign on 21st March against Rwanda before hosting Zimbabwe four days later at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo at 5:00 pm. The two games are a must-win for the 2013 African champions.
Coach Eric Chelle released the final 23-man squad for the crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday. The list has been received with quiet optimism. The squad which is made up of youth and experience have three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and eight attackers.
Chelle called up three centre-backs, one left-back (Bruno Onyemaechi), and two right-backs (Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel).
However, Calvin Bassey, traditionally a centre-back, can provide emergency cover at left-back if needed.
The midfield selection includes two defensive midfielders (Wilfred Ndidi and Alhassan Yusuf), two central midfielders (Joe Aribo and Papa Daniel Mustapha), and one attacking midfielder (Alex Iwobi).
Among the eight forwards, there are four centre-forwards (Victor Osimhen, Umar Sadiq, Tolu Arokodare, and Victor Boniface) and four wingers (Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, and Nathan Tella).
All three goalkeepers ply their trade on the African continent: Stanley Nwabali (South Africa), Omas Obasogie (Tanzania), and Kayode Bankole (Nigeria, Remo Stars).
Maduka Okoye, despite impressing in Udinese’s Serie A draw against Lazio on Monday night, missed out. Cyprus-based Adebayo Adeleye also failed to make the final cut.
Remo Stars’ Bankole is one of only two Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players in the squad, alongside Niger Tornadoes midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha. The two NPFL players and the other first timers are clear gambles Chelle took that could turn out to be the turning point in Nigeria’s bid for the 2026 World Cup ticket. Meanwhile, Tanzania-based Obasogie, one of the three goalkeepers who made the cut previously played for Bendel Insurance before moving abroad last year.
