By Éric Sékou Chelle has unveiled his final 23-man squad for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, with captain Ahmed Musa and Southampton striker Paul Onuachu missing out.
Both Musa and Onuachu were included in the initial 29-man provisional squad released last week but failed to make the final cut. However, Onuachu’s Southampton teammate, Joe Aribo, has been retained for the crucial fixtures.
The squad features key players such as goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Kayode Bankole, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, as well as midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi. The attacking line includes Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon.
Other notable inclusions are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar. Home-based midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha and Belgium-based forward Tolu Arokodare also made the list.
Nigeria will play Group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before facing Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25. These matches are crucial as the Super Eagles look to secure early points in the World Cup qualification campaign.
The full squad includes:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars).
Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Igoh Ogbu.
