Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has announced a final 23-man squad list for their crucial 2026 World Cup qualification matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
Chelle initially named a 39-man provisional list before pruning down the squad for the upcoming matches.
The West African powerhouse travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25 in the fifth and sixth rounds of the qualifiers.
Currently sitting fifth in Group C, Nigeria trails Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. The Super Eagles has only managed draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa before suffering a disappointing 2-1 loss to Benin.
With only the top team earning automatic qualification, Nigeria must deliver results quickly to revive qualification hopes.
Notable amongst the squad include, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina.
Other top players include, midfielder Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses.
Below is the 23-man squad for the matches:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
