Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Unveils Provisional 31-Man Squad for Key World Cup Qualifiers

The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has announced a provisional squad of 31 players as Nigeria gears up for its critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa in September.

Leading the squad is captain William Troost-Ekong, alongside experienced goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen. Notable inclusions also feature midfielder Alex Iwobi and defensive stalwart Wilfred Ndidi, as well as forwards Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.

Chelle has highlighted the blend of experience and youth, calling up emerging players such as goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, and midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Strikers Sadiq Umar and Nathan Tella are also vying for a spot on the team.

Promising talents like defender Benjamin Fredericks, versatile full-back Felix Agu, centre-back Igoh Ogbu, and midfielder Christantus Uche have also received call-ups. Forward Cyriel Dessers, who played a key role in Nigeria’s recent Unity Cup victory in London, has been rewarded with an invitation to join the squad.

Nigeria currently sits fourth in Group C and will face Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, September 6, before looking to claim victory against long-time rivals South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, September 9. Both matches are set to be fiercely contested.

The Super Eagles will commence their training camp in Uyo on Monday, September 1, as they prepare for these must-win encounters.

Full Provisional Squad List:

Goalkeepers:
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
– Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
– Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
– Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)

Defenders:
– William Troost-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 (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)
– Moses Simon (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)

As the Super Eagles aim for World Cup qualification, the squad is set to harness its collective experience and skill in pursuit of success on the international stage.