Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has announced a 23-man squad for the country’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and the Benin Republic.
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen makes a return to the three-time African champions' squad after missing the draw against South Africa due to an injury suffered against Rwanda.
Other high-profile names include Alex Iwobi, captain William Troost-Ekong, Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, as well as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who plays for South African side Chippa United.
Meanwhile, Sevilla star Akor Adams has earned his maiden senior call-up with fit-again defender Semilogo Ajayi, Terem Moffi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Russia-based Olakunle Olusegun returning to the squad.
Nigeria currently sit third in Group C with 11 points, three behind leaders Benin Republic and South Africa.
The Super Eagles will be aiming to pick the automatic ticket following FIFA’s recent sanction against Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
Nigeria travel to face Lesotho themselves on October 10 before hosting Gernot Rohr’s Squirrels four days later.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany), Benjamin Fredrick (Dender, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos, Greece), Tolu Arokodare (Genk, Belgium), Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France), Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)
