Chelle Unveils 23-Man Super Eagles Squad for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has announced a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic, with captain William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and prolific forward Victor Osimhen all making the list.

The list released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department also sees the return of Semi Ajayi, who was sidelined in September due to injury, while France-based striker Terem Moffi and Russian-based Olakunle Olusegun are recalled to the fold. They join an attacking line brimming with quality, including Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, and Moses Simon.

Nigeria currently sits third in Group C with 11 points, trailing leaders Benin Republic (14 points) and second-placed South Africa (14 points). With only two games left in the qualifying series, the October fixtures could prove decisive in determining whether the three-time African champions book their ticket to the global showpiece.

The Eagles will first face the Likuena (Crocodiles) of Lesotho on Friday, October 10, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, before returning home to Uyo for a blockbuster clash against table-topping Benin Republic on Tuesday, October 14.

The players are expected to converge in Polokwane on Monday, October 6, flying in from their respective bases across Europe and beyond.

Full List of 23 Super Eagles for Lesotho & Benin Republic

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece).
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender, Belgium).
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey).
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham United, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Cyriel Dessers (Panathanaikos, Greece), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France), Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).

With everything to play for in October, the Super Eagles’ destiny lies in their ability to claim maximum points in both matches, as the race for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches fever pitch.