Nigeria’s football team is gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a strong 23-man squad, handpicked by Head Coach Finidi George.
The selection includes Ademola Lookman, who’s currently making waves, Victor Osimhen, the continent’s top player, and Stanley Nwabali, a trusted pair of hands in goal, to face off against South Africa and Benin Republic.
Rounding out the squad, Finidi George has also called up goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, stalwart defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, who ply their trade in England, alongside midfield maestros Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Alhassan Yusuf. Upfront, the team will be bolstered by the attacking prowess of Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi.
The national team’s latest roster features some exciting new additions, including Remo Stars’ rock-solid defender Sadiq Ismael, making his debut, alongside Fisayo Bashiru, a Turkey-based midfielder with flair, Nathan Tella, a German-based talent with a bright future, and Paul Onuachu, a towering forward with a proven scoring record.
Nigeria confront South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 7th June starting from 8pm, and then fly to Abidjan to tackle Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Monday, 10th June starting from 4pm CIV time (5pm Nigeria time).
Super Eagles against Bafana, Cheetahs Fixtures:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
Read more: Super Eagles: I’ll Not Let You Down – Finidi Assures Nigerians
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)
Upfront, the Super Eagles boast a formidable attacking lineup, featuring Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), the prolific Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), the pacey Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), and the clinical Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France).