Super Eagles name 24-man squad for 2026 World Cup African Play-offs in Morocco, with Osimhen, Ekong, Iwobi, and Ndidi leading the team
Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle has announced a 24-man squad for next week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament in Rabat, Morocco, featuring key players Victor Osimhen, William Ekong, and Alex Iwobi.
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Captain William Troost-Ekong, ace forward Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey all made the list for the crucial tournament.
Midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi also return to the national side alongside forwards Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.
Nigeria are set to face Gabon in the first semi-final at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, while Cameroon will meet the Democratic Republic of Congo in the second semi-final at the 18,000-capacity El-Barid Stadium.
Chelle also recalled goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Spain-based winger Chidera Ejuke, with Raphael Onyedika, Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olusegun Olakunle also making the roster.
Defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, who has been suspended after accumulating two yellow cards during the qualifiers, will miss the clash with Gabon on Thursday.
The players are expected to arrive in Morocco from their various club bases in Europe and beyond, with camp opening in Rabat on Monday, 10 November.
Full Squad List:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy).
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium).
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium).
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).
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The tournament will serve as a critical test for Nigeria as they aim to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with expectations high following mixed performances in the qualifying rounds.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
