Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has been forced to tinker with his team call-ups for the make or mar 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounters against Lesotho and Benin Republic starting this weekend in South Africa.
Injuries to two players, Cyrile Dessers of Panathinaikos, Turkey and Bright Osayi-Samuel with Championship side, Birmingham City have necessitated changes to the initial squad list.
There is also fears that Werder Bremen defender, Felix Agu may also be a doubt for the two games even though he remians in the team for now.
Sequel to this developemnt, Super Eagles gaffer, Eric Chelle has extended late invites to FC Porto defender, Zaidu Sanusi and Crystal Palace midfielder, Uche Chrisantus to take the place of Osayi-Samuel and Dessers respectively.
The Super Eagles are set to play Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa before hosting Benin Republic in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on October 14 in their final Group C fixtures.
Super Eagles qualification now hangs in the balance with Bnin Republic and South Africa dictating the pace in Group C with 14 points apiece with Nigeria in third with 11 points.
Rwanda in fourth position also has 11 points, level with Nigeria, making it a tight race in the group though the odds seem to favour South Africa given their home advantage in the last two games.
To secure qualification, Nigeria must win both remaining fixtures and rely on favourable results elsewhere, specifically, hoping Rwanda defeats Benin Republic and Zimbabwe holds South Africa in their matchday nine encounters.
Though direct qualification now looks a tall dream for the Eagles, but the thought of missing back-to-back mundial and ending their career, for most of them, without a world cup appearance, could be a motivating factor.
