Nigerian football fans have expressed widespread optimism and excitement about the Super Eagles’ new 39-man provisional squad, selected by head coach Eric Chelle for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
X (formerly Twitter) has erupted with enthusiastic reactions, with supporters highlighting the strategic blend of experienced players and emerging talents that could potentially revive Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes.
The provisional squad, which includes the return of veteran captain Ahmed Musa and maiden call-ups for promising talents like Tolu Arokodare and Chrisantus Uche, has generated significant buzz among football enthusiasts.
Arokodare’s maiden call-up has been particularly celebrated. The 25-year-old striker from Genk has been in sensational form, leading the Belgium Jupiler Pro League with 16 league goals and 18 goals overall across all competitions. His potential impact has fans buzzing with anticipation.
Another exciting inclusion is 21-year-old Uche, a Getafe midfielder who has been turning heads in La Liga. Having featured in every league match this season, Uche has already attracted interest from top clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Aston Villa.
Olu Ginola wrote, “This list looks exciting. Jordan Torunarigha, Igoh Ogbu, and Chrisantus Uche are very timely additions to this team.”
The sentiment was echoed by fans who appreciated the squad’s composition and potential.
Femi (@AlaShiNe) expressed relief at some key selections, noting, “Frank Onyeka back on the list! Thank God! Nathan Tella, and OlaOluwa Aina more creativity for the attack.”
The return of Ahmed Musa particularly resonated with fans as @Nawas_masood highlighted the captain’s significance, saying, “It’s good to have Ahmed Musa back in the team, his experience and his leadership are very important.”
The same fan also offered constructive criticism, adding, “Victor (Boniface) needs to step up his game, he is yet to have a good game with the national team despite his undeniable talent. Lastly, I hope we will see the Iwobi we have been seeing in Fulham shirt this season.”
Social media influencer MBAH (@Mbahdeyforyou) succinctly captured the collective mood with “Great squad depth! Let’s go Eagles.”
Samuel Ayodotun simply wished the team luck, writing, “Good luck to the Super Eagles”.
@aims_ukafia provided a different perspective, observing, “I like the inclusion of Chrisantus Uche, Dessers, Tolu and Tella. At least it shows some efforts to consider form in selection. Whether they’ll make the final cut is another question.”
The squad’s composition reflects an intricate balance between experience and emerging talent. Musa’s return is particularly significant. The most-capped player in Nigerian football history, Musa last featured for the Super Eagles before their silver-winning campaign at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, bringing invaluable leadership to the team.
The upcoming matches against Rwanda in Kigali and Zimbabwe in Uyo are critical. Currently sitting fifth in Group C, the Super Eagles need consecutive victories to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. The team trails group leaders Rwanda, making these matches pivotal in their qualification journey.
As the squad prepares for these crucial encounters, the mood among Nigerian football fans is cautiously optimistic. The blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talents offers hope for a successful World Cup qualifying campaign.
Coach Chelle’s selection demonstrates a strategic approach to team building, balancing the need for experienced leadership with the dynamism of emerging talents. The provisional squad suggests a forward-looking strategy that could potentially redefine the Super Eagles’ competitive landscape.
