Nigeria’s new handler Éric Chelle has picked his Super Eagles for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for next month, with strikers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as notable inclusions in the preliminary squad accommodating players drawn from African leagues.
Atalanta attacker Lookman has made the squad alongside the Galatasaray striker Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze who scored for AC Milan in Serie A over the weekend.
First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali of South Africa’s Chippa United has been named in the squad as among a few players drawn from Africa, alongside ageless captain Ahmed Musa who is now on the books of Nigerian side Kano Pillars.
The dwindling representation of Premier League based players in the squad is evident with Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, scorer in the FA Cup win over Manchester United over the weekend, his team-mate Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City among the most recognizable faces.
Chelle is set to take charge of the Super Eagles for the first time with the daunting task of winning silverware and guiding Nigeria out of a troubling position in qualifying amid huge expectations.
The former Mali boss released his 39-member preliminary squad ahead of the March qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
Super Eagles squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Kayode Bankole, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Adeleye Adebayo
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Gabriel Osho, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Sandu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, Jordan Torunarigha, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, Papa Mustapha
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Victor Boniface, Ismail Sadiq, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, Chidera Ejuke, Paul Onuachu, Ahmed Musa, Akor Adams
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