The NFF will announce a final Super Eagles squad list for the CAF 2026 World Cup Playoffs in Rabat, Morocco, before the weekend with coach Eric Chelle set to name at least an uncapped player.
SCORENigeria now takes a closer look at who will make the final cut as Nigeria try to make the most of a second chance to qualify for next year’s World Cup via the Playoffs.
Despite being unstable in recent games for both club and country, No 1 goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is in, but will be expected to get better competition from the come-backing Maduka Okoye, who has already regained his place in the Udinese first team after serving out a two-month ban for a betting-related offence.
The third goalkeeping spot will be between Adebayo Adeleye and Amas Obasogie.
In defence, Calvin Bassey, who was ever-present in all 10 World Cup qualifiers, is in as are captain William Ekong and Semi Ajayi, who will miss the Gabon clash having picked up two bookings in the qualifying series, but will be available for selection should Nigeria advance to the Playoffs final.
After solid displays with the Super Eagles, the versatile Benjamin Fredrick will be one of several fullbacks that would also include Zaidu Sanusi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, who has bounced back from injury which kept him away from international duty last month.
Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi will keep their places in midfield with Club Brugge star Raphael Onyedika recalled after an injury layoff.
Uncapped youngsters Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa) and David Moses (Slavia Praha) are being considered to freshen the midfield.
It is in attack that coach Eric Chelle must do a lot of balancing act.
Victor Osimhen will always be the first name on the squad, so too Ademola Lookman, who finally opened his goals’ account this season last week for Atalanta versus AC Milan.
On the back of his goal-scoring debut against Lesotho last month, Jerome Akor is also in, while the other striker’s spots will be a straight fight between Paul Onuachu, Tolu Arokodare and Terem Moffi.
Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon will again be the preferred wingers for the Super Eagles in Morocco.
Likely Super Eagles Squad for World Cup Playoffs:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie
Defenders: Calvin Bassey, William Ekong, Benjamin Fredrick, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Bright Osayi-Samuel
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Alex Iwobi, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Chrisantus Uche
Forwards: Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Jerome Akor, Terem Moffi, Tolu Arokodare
