The Super Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa, has been included in the preliminary team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers which would take place later this month.
The 39-player roster was revealed in a statement released by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday.
After being hired as the Eagles’ head coach in January, Eric Chelle assembled a large interim roster for his first round of games that includes both new and old players.
The 39-player squad was revealed in a statement released by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday.
Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who was hired in January, selected a large temporary squad featuring both new and old players for his first set of games.
After nearly a year away, the Malian tactician brings Musa back to the Eagles camp. The 32-year-old winger did not play at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire, when he last appeared for the Nigerian national team.
The team’s lineup featured familiar names, including forwards Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey and Olao Aina, William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi.
Jordan Torunarigha, Joe Aribo, Cyriel Dessers, and Nathan Tella—all long-time absentees—were also summoned back.
First-time names include Tolu Arokodare, Igoh Ogbu, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, Papa Daniel Mustapha, and Akor Adams.
The list will be chiseled down to 23 players before the Super Eagles take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe on March 21 and 25, respectively.
Nigeria Unveils 39-Player Provisional Squad for Rwanda, Zimbabwe Fixtures
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars).
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Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, Belgium); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK, Turkey); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC, England); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England); Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain).
