2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Chelle names provisional squad for Rwanda, South Africa clashes

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released a 31-man provisional list for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa in September.

Key stars headline squad

The list features experienced regulars William Troost-Ekong, Stanley Nwabali, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon.

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Other notable inclusions are Ebenezer Harcourt, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar, and Nathan Tella.

New faces and notable returns

Young defender Benjamin Fredericks, full-back Felix Agu, centre-back Igoh Ogbu, midfielder Christantus Uche, and forward Cyriel Dessers – who impressed at the 2025 Unity Cup Tournament in London – have also been handed call-ups.

There are recalls for goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defender Chidozie Awaziem, and forward Terem Moffi.

Two decisive fixtures

Nigeria, currently fourth in Group C, will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, September 6, for Matchday 7. The Super Eagles will then fly to Bloemfontein to face South Africa in a high-stakes Matchday 8 clash on Tuesday, September 9.

The Super Eagles camp will officially open in Uyo on Monday, September 1, ahead of the doubleheader.

PROVISIONAL LIST FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA

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

Defenders: William 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 (SK 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); Simon Moses (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)