Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle unveils 24-man list for Nigeria’s World Cup play-off
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled his 24-man team list ahead of Nigeria’s crucial campaign at 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament in Morocco.
In the list released on Saturday, Chelle called up regular team members, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and midfielder Alex Iwobi, for the must-win competition as Nigeria seeks to secure a place at the next World Cup in North America.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will also make a comeback to the national team following his return to club action with Udinese after serving a two-month ban imposed on him by Italian football authorities for betting violations.
Nigeria will take on Gabon in the first semi-final of the mini tournament on November 13 at Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat while Cameroon confront the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other semi-final later in the day.
The winner of each semifinal tie will face each other in a final three days later at Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan to determine Africa’s sole representative in the intercontinental playoff.
Despite being suspended for one match after earning two yellow cards during the main qualifying phase, defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi is included in the squad and will be available to play should Nigeria reach the final.
The full 24-man squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); 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); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).
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