Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Drops Iheanacho, Musa from Final 23-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has unveiled his final 23-man squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The Malian manager had earlier released a 39-man provisional squad for this month’s decisive qualifiers but has now reduced the list to 23 players.

Notably, Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, whose inclusion in the provisional squad had sparked debate among fans and analysts, has been omitted from the final selection. Kelechi Iheanacho was also left out of the squad.

Chelle has chosen to retain key players such as Stanley Nwabali, William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Osimhen for the must-win fixtures.

Nigeria will first take on Group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21st, before hosting Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25th.

23-Man Super Eagles Squad for Rwanda, Zimbabwe Crackers

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes).

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).