Chelle names 31-man squad for must-win World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa

SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced a 31-man provisional squad for Nigeria's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Rwanda next month with a few home-based youngsters getting their first call-ups.

On Saturday September 6, Nigeria will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo and then three days later, the Eagles will travel to South Africa to face Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein. Currently sitting fourth in the qualification table, Nigeria's situation is precarious, making both matches must-win games.

Yesterday, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) published the list with relatively few surprises as all the usual names were there. For instance, Arsenal Hale End Academy graduates Alex Iwobi and Nathan Tella were in the squad, as was Chelsea academy product Ola Aina.

AC Milan-bound striker Victor Boniface has also been included in the provisional squad. Other usual suspects invited include team captain William Troost-Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Fulham's Calvin Bassey, Besiktas new boy Wilfred Ndidi, Galatasaray, Victor Osimhen and Atalanta's Ademola Lookman.

Home-based goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, who recently featured for the Chan team, got a surprise call-up, alongside defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi. Also in the squad are the midfield trio of Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as well as striker Sadiq Umar.

Other young players invited include defenders Benjamin Fredericks, Felix Agu and Igoh Ogbu, alongside upcoming midfielder maestro Christantus Uche. Striker Cyriel Dessers earns a spot in attack after impressing at the 2025 Unity Cup in London, while there are recalls for goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, defender Chidozie Awaziem and forward Terem Moffi.

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)