May 24, (THEWILL)- Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, has unveiled a star-studded 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic. The squad features a blend of established stars and promising talents.
Spearheading the attack will be the duo of Ademola Lookman, the in-form forward of Atalanta, and Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Player of the Year. Stanley Nwabali, the reliable shot-stopper, has also been included in the squad.
Other notable inclusions are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi.
George has also handed a maiden call-up to Remo Stars’ defender Sadiq Ismael, while Turkey-based midfielder Fisayo Bashiru, Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella, and towering striker Paul Onuachu have been included in the squad.
The Super Eagles will face South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, June 7, at 8pm local time. Subsequently, they will travel to Abidjan to take on Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Monday, June 10, with the kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.
The full squad list includes:
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)
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
