2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Adebayo, Awaziem, Moffi return, Musa out

.As Chelle releases 31-man provisional list

.Ekong, Boniface, Osimhen make squad, Harcourt gets debut call up

.Camp opens in Uyo on Sept 1

By Taofeek Babalola

Adeleye Adebayo, Chidozie Awaziem and Terem Moffi were recalled to the Super Eagles squad while Ahmed Musa was left out as Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle released a 31-man provisional list ahead of next month's World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

Ahmed Musa who made his Super Eagles return at the Unity Cup 4-Nations Tourney in May was left out of the squad as he suffered an injury last Saturday during a pre-season game for his club, Kano Pillars.

Also, Chelle selected team captain William Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Simon Moses for the all-important games.

Birmingham City and Olympiakos, Greece defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Sadiq Umar and Nathan Tella were also added to the list

Others are Young defender Benjamin Fredericks, rearguard mates Felix Agu and Igoh Ogbu, midfielder Christantus Uche and forward Cyriel Dessers, who impressed at the 2025 Unity Cup Tournament that Nigeria won in London in the summer, are also invited, with returns for goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defender Chidozie Awaziem and forward Terem Moffi.

Flying Eagles goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was also included in the list for the matches against Rwanda and South Africa, SportingLife reports.

The youthful goalkeeper, who earned a late call-up to the Super Eagles B squad for the 2024 CHAN tournament, got his first senior call-up.

The Sporting FC of Lagos sensation was in the starting lineup in Eagles’ last game against Congo at CHAN 2024.

Nigeria, currently fourth in the group, will take on Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday, 6th September in a Matchday 7 encounter, before flying to Bloemfontein to confront South Africa in a potentially-explosive Matchday 8 encounter on Tuesday, 9th September.

Nigeria’s camp for the two crucial matches will open in Uyo on Monday, 1st September. 

 

Nigeria's 31-man provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla FC, Spain)