Super Eagles Head Coach Finidi George has announced a 23-man squad to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
News About Nigeria reports that the list features in-form players like Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Maduka Okoye, alongside regulars like Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Newcomer Sadiq Ismael, a defender from Remo Stars, earns his first call-up, while Fisayo Bashiru, Nathan Tella, and Paul Onuachu also make the cut.
The team will face South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on June 7th and then travel to Abidjan to play Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on June 10th.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
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)
Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
In a related development, Finidi George has dismissed rumors of a potential change in team leadership, confirming that William Troost-Ekong remains the captain, alongside Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo.
“We have to see those who are older and capable. We’re not stripping Ekong of captaincy… Ekong is our captain, Omeruo also is our captain, as well as Musa,” Finidi stated.
