Nigeria squad announcement: Aina, Iwobi, Aribo, Ndidi, Osimhen, Arokodare, Lookman in; Dessers out

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his final 23-man squad ahead of Nigeria's crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The announcement, made on Tuesday, was revealed via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Super Eagles, following the release of an expanded provisional squad of 39 players last week.

This marks Chelle's debut as the Super Eagles' coach, taking charge of the three-time African champions for the first time in competitive action.

The squad comprises a blend of seasoned veterans and fresh talent, reflecting Chelle's vision for the team as he looks to build a strong foundation for Nigeria’s World Cup campaign.

The final squad includes three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards.

Among the notable inclusions are veteran players such as Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Victor Osimhen, alongside new faces like Tolu Arokodare and Nathan Tella, who have earned their place based on their recent performances.

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers will not be cap-tied to Nigeria this month as the Belgian-born forward has been omitted from the squad despite being in brilliant form his Scottish club.

The squad brings together an exciting mix of experience and youth, setting the stage for an intense start to Nigeria's World Cup qualification journey.

The matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe are expected to test the new coach's tactical approach and offer an opportunity for the players to prove their worth ahead of a demanding qualifying campaign.

The full squad list is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Amas Obasogie, Kayode Bankole, Stanley Nwabali

Defenders: Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Igoh Ogbu, William Troost-Ekong

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Alhassan Yusuf, Joe Aribo, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Raphael Onyedika, Wilfred Ndidi

Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Sadiq Umar, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen

Wale Adejumo

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