Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic this month.
The list, released on Friday morning by the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) Director of Communication, Dr Ademola Olajire, includes experienced names and notable recalls as the three-time African champions look to secure their place at the global showpiece.
Key Players Named
Team captain William Troost-Ekong and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali headline the squad. Other regulars in the list are defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfield generals Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, alongside star forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon.
The squad also welcomes back Semi Ajayi, who returns from injury after missing September’s fixtures. France-based striker Terem Moffi and Russia-based youngster Olakunle Olusegun are also handed call-ups, boosting Nigeria’s attacking options.
Fixtures and Venues
Currently sitting third in Group C, just three points behind leaders Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa, Nigeria face a make-or-break double-header:
Friday, 10 October: Nigeria vs Lesotho (Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa)
Tuesday, 14 October: Nigeria vs Benin Republic (Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria)
The Super Eagles are scheduled to converge in Polokwane from their various clubs in Europe and beyond on Monday, 6 October, ahead of the clash with Lesotho’s Crocodiles.
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Full Super Eagles Squad
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia)
Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England)
Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England)
Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece)
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)
Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy)
Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England)
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)
Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos, Greece)
Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)
Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)
With Nigeria’s World Cup hopes still uncertain, these fixtures against the Crocodiles of Lesotho and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic promise to be crucial in determining the Super Eagles’ path to the 2026 finals.
