Friday, July 3, 2026

Chelle names 31-man Super Eagles squad for World Cup qualifiers

The Super Eagles currently sit fourth in Group C with seven points, trailing South Africa, Rwanda and Benin Republic.

• August 22, 2025
Super Eagles vs Crocodiles of Lesotho
Super Eagles [Credit: Pooja]

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced a 31-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in September.

Nigeria will host Rwanda before travelling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa on September 9, in two crucial fixtures that could define their qualification hopes for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next year.

Chelle has remained faithful to several established names, including Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, and Captain William Troost-Ekong.

The Super Eagles currently sit fourth in Group C with seven points, trailing South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin Republic. With only the group winners guaranteed a ticket to the World Cup, the upcoming games are widely seen as must-win encounters if Nigeria are to revive their qualification campaign.

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)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States

Benue: Troops kill suspected terrorist in gunfight

“One terrorist was neutralised, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines from the scene,” Mr Zubairu said.

Egypt vs Australia

Sport

Egypt edge Australia on penalties to make historic World Cup round of 16 berth

Egypt will face the winners of the round of 32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde later today.

Health

Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak now largest on record as cases top 1,400: WHO

Mr Janabi described the outbreak as one of Africa’s most serious public health emergencies this year.

Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed

Health

Bauchi govt begins rural-based campaign against waterborne diseases

Mr Mohammed said health education officers in the state’s 20 local government areas had been directed to carry out the exercise.

Voters registering

Hot news Home top

INEC extends voter registration, launches self-service portal

INEC said the extension followed feedback received from its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

ROAD CRASH

States

Wheelbarrow pusher killed in Rivers road crash

The spokesperson for the state police, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the driver had been arrested.