Nigeria’s Head Coach, Finidi George, has selected the inform Ademola Lookman, African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, and reliable goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as part of a 23-player squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, Reelradio.com.ng reports.
George has made his selection, choosing goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, England-based defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi.
Remo Stars’ rugged defender Sadiq Ismael has earned his first call-up, alongside Turkey-based midfielder Fisayo Bashiru, Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella from Germany, and the towering forward Paul Onuachu.
Nigeria will face off against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 7th June, with the match set to kick off at 8pm. Following that, the team will travel to Abidjan to take on Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Monday, 10th June, with the match scheduled to start at 4pm CIV time (5pm Nigeria time).
EAGLES SQUAD VS. BAFANA, CHEETAHS IN A BATTLE:
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)
