Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has picked Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and 30 others in his provisional squad for September’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, www.aclsports.com reports.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, were also called up to the squad. Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, who has been involved in a transfer saga with his club Atalanta, is also called, as well as France-based winger Simon Moses.
Teenage goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, who was involved in the 2024 CHAN tournament, is the only home-based player in the squad. Defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Sadiq Umar and Nathan Tella are also in the squad.
Young defender Benjamin Fredericks, rearguard mates Felix Agu and Igoh Ogbu, midfielder Christantus Uche, and forward Cyriel Dessers, who impressed at the 2025 Unity Cup Tournament that Nigeria won in London in the summer, are also invited, with returns for goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defender Chidozie Awaziem, and forward Terem Moffi.
Nigeria, currently sitting fourth on the log, will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday, September 6, in a Matchday 7 clash. Just three days later, the Super Eagles will jet out to Bloemfontein for a high-stakes Matchday 8 showdown with South Africa on Tuesday, September 9.
Nigeria’s camp for the two crucial matches will open in Uyo on Monday, 1st September under the watchful eyes of Eric Chelle.
31 SUPER EAGLES IN PROVISIONAL LIST FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos 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)
Coach: Eric Chelle
