Nigeria’s Head Coach, Finidi George, has named his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic, www.aclsports.com reports.
Finidi, in his first squad since taking charge of the team permanently, picked Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, shot stopper Stanley Nwabali and African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen among his 23-man squad for the important games in June.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who has been impressive for Udinese this season, is recalled to the squad. Francis Uzoho misses out, while Enyimba captain Olorunleke Ojo is listed.
2023 AFCON player of the tournament and Super Eagles vice captain, William Troost-Ekong, misses out after just returning from his long injury layoff.
Others selected include England-based defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.
Meanwhile, Remo Stars defender Sodiq Ismail, who has racked up 12 assists in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season, has been handed a maiden call up.
Turkey-based midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s Nathan Tella and lanky forward Paul Onuachu have also been called.
Nigeria, who are winless in the qualifying series, will face South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 7th June with kick off scheduled for 8pm.
Finidi will then take his side to Abidjan to continue their quest for World Cup qualification when they face Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Monday, 10th June starting from 4pm CIV time (5pm Nigeria time).
SUPER EAGLES SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
