Sevilla striker Jerome Akor, Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers, and Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella have been included in the Super Eagles' provisional 39 man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
This will be the first set of matches under new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, who has retained the core of the squad that qualified Nigeria for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON in November.
Among the key returnees are Stanley Nwabali, William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Moses Simon. The list also includes players like Maduka Okoye, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Sadiq Umar.
Additionally, Igoh Ogbu, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha have earned their first ever Super Eagles call-ups, while there could be returns for home based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joe Aribo, and forwards Dessers and Tella if they make the final 23 man squad.
Nigeria, currently fifth in Group C, will face group leaders Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before taking on Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25.
Editorial
Eric Chelle's first squad selection as Super Eagles coach reflects a balance of experience and fresh talent. The inclusion of Akor, Dessers, and Tella signals a focus on attacking depth, especially as Nigeria struggles to find consistent goal scorers beyond Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
Among the key returnees are Stanley Nwabali, William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Moses Simon. The list also includes players like Maduka Okoye, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Sadiq Umar.
The selection of Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi in defence suggests that Chelle is looking to reinforce Nigeria’s backline, an area that showed weaknesses during AFCON 2023. With key midfielders like Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi maintaining their spots, the midfield creativity and balance should remain intact.
Nigeria’s position in Group C is concerning, and these matches are must-win games. Chelle must ensure the right tactical adjustments to help the Super Eagles bounce back in their World Cup qualification campaign.
Did You Know?
- Jerome Akor, who plays for Sevilla, is receiving his first Super Eagles call-up after impressing in La Liga.
- Cyriel Dessers has been in fine form for Rangers FC in Scotland, earning a recall to the squad.
- Nigeria is currently ranked fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, and Lesotho.
- Eric Chelle, the newly appointed head coach, will be managing his first international fixtures with Nigeria.
- Nathan Tella has been a key player for Bayer Leverkusen, contributing to their Bundesliga title push this season.
