Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has announced his 23-man Super Eagles squad for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
Striker Victor Boniface was left out due to fitness concerns. The Bayer Leverkusen forward recently failed medical tests that stopped a move to AC Milan. Chelle will now rely on Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, and Samuel Chukwueze to lead the attack alongside Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
Good news came for goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who was stretchered off in a South African league game earlier this week. The 29-year-old is now fit and keeps his place as Nigeria’s first-choice keeper.
Nigeria will host Rwanda in Uyo on September 6 and play South Africa in Bloemfontein three days later. With seven points from six games, Nigeria sits fourth in Group C and must get strong results to stay in the race.
The squad also includes captain William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Lookman, Osimhen, defender Felix Agu, and newcomers Benjamin Fredericks and Christantus Uche.
