Super Eagles head coach Éric Sekou Chelle has unveiled his 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic. His list includes seasoned leaders William Troost‑Ekong, Alex Iwobi, and Victor Osimhen, among others.
Squad Highlights and Key Inclusions
- Captain Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Stanley Nwabali (goalkeeper) retain places in the squad.
- Midfield: Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi return.
- Attackers: Alongside Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses, the squad also includes Terem Moffi and Olakunle Olusegun, among others.
- Semi Ajayi is back from injury after missing the September window.
- Notably, Ola Aina is absent from this roster, likely due to his injury or fitness concerns (he is not listed among the 23).
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali; Amas Obasogie; Adeleye Adebayo
Defenders: Williamson Ekong; Calvin Bassey; Semi Ajayi; Bright Osayi‑Samuel; Bruno Onyemaechi; Felix Agu; Benjamin Fredericks
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi; Frank Onyeka; Alhassan Yusuf; Wilfred Ndidi
Forwards: Ademola Lookman; Samuel Chukwueze; Victor Osimhen; Simon Moses; Cyriel Dessers; Tolu Arokodare; Terem Moffi; Akor Adams; Olakunle Olusegun
Fixture and Stakes
The Super Eagles will first face Lesotho away on Friday, 10 October 2025, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa (Matchday 9). They will then return to Uyo to take on Benin Republic on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 (Matchday 10). With Nigeria currently third in Group C, just three points behind leaders Benin and South Africa, these final two fixtures are decisive.
Key Angles and What to Watch
Defensive reshuffle: With Ola Aina unavailable, Chelle must optimize his defense with other options.
Veterans vs. fresh legs: How much game time will the likes of Ekong and Iwobi see, and can younger faces like Agu or Fredericks make an impact?
Osimhen’s return: His form and fitness will be critical, especially as Nigeria has underperformed in recent matches.
The group crunch: Nigeria cannot afford errors — every point matters. A slip-up could end their qualification hopes.
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