Head Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Eric Sekou Chelle, has officially announced a 31-man provisional squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches scheduled for September against Rwanda and South Africa.
Gatekeepers News reports that the squad features key players such as Captain William Troost-Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, along with notable names like Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Simon Moses, and Olaoluwa Aina.
In addition to seasoned players, Chelle has included emerging talents in the squad. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defender Benjamin Fredericks, and midfielder Christantus Uche, all of whom impressed during the Unity Cup Tournament in London this summer, have received call-ups.
The coach also recalled goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defender Chidozie Awaziem, and striker Terem Moffi, enhancing the team’s depth as they prepare for these critical matches.
The complete list of players was published on the NFF website on Friday.
“These matches are crucial to our qualification journey,” Chelle said, adding that his selection sought to balance “experience with youthful hunger.”
Nigeria, currently fourth in Group C, will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday, 6 September before traveling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa on Tuesday, 9 September. Camp opens in Uyo on Monday, 1 September.
Full List
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)
