2026 WCQ: Chelle unveils 35-man squad for Rwanda, Zimbabwe clashes

Newly appointed Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced his maiden provisional squad, calling up 35 players for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Captain Ahmed Musa makes his return to the squad, alongside vice-captain William Troost-Ekong and midfield maestro Joe Aribo. Chelle has also introduced six fresh faces, striking a balance between experience and emerging talent.

Among the notable inclusions are home-based players Papa Mustapha, Kayode Bankole, and Ifeanyi Emmanuel Onyebuchi, who have earned their first call-ups.

The Super Eagles will face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe on March 25.

Full Super Eagles Squad

Goalkeepers:

• Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
• Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)
• Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
• Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Neon Paralimni, Cyprus)
• Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)

Defenders:

• William Troost-Ekong (Al Khalood, Saudi Arabia)
• Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
• Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
• Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France)
• Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England)
• Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
• Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
• Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
• Jordan Torunarigha (Gent, Belgium)
• Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Midfielders:

• Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria)
• Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
• Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
• Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England, USA)
• Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
• Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany)
• Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England)
• Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton, England)
• Anthony Dennis (Goztepe, Turkey)
• Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain)

Forwards:

• Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
• Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
• Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
• Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough, England)
• Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
• Moses Simon (Nantes, France)
• Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain)
• Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
• Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
• Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
• Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain)
• Paul Onuachu (Southampton, England)
• Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)
• Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)