World Cup Qualifier: Super Eagles coach Finidi invites Lookman, Osimhen for Bafana, Cheetahs
Rave of the moment, Ademola Lookman and African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, are among the 23 Super Eagles players invited for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches by coach Finidi George.
In the qualifiers, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will tackle South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
George also selected goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, England-based defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Alhassan Yusuf.
Forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi are also invited to participate in the qualifiers.
Similarly, Remo Stars’ hard-as-nails defender, Sadiq Ismael, is called for the first time, with Turkey-based midfielder Fisayo Bashiru, Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s Nathan Tella, and lanky forward Paul Onuachu also called.
Nigeria will clash with South Africa on June 7 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, by 8:00 p.m.
The team will then fly to Abidjan to tackle Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on June 10 by 5:00 p.m. (Nigerian time).
Super Eagles full team list
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy) and Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC).
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey), Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), and Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey).
Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France).
(NAN)
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