Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set for crucial battles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament in Morocco, with Head Coach Eric Chelle naming a 24-man squad that blends experience and youthful talent
Captain William Ekong leads the defense alongside Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and Spain-based Chidera Ejuke are also in the mix. Attack will be spearheaded by star forward Victor Osimhen, joined by Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman.
Midfield creativity comes from 89-cap Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika, with exciting young defender Benjamin Fredericks also included. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forwards Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olusegun Olakunle complete the roster.
Defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi will miss the semi-final against Gabon due to suspension, having picked up two yellow cards during qualifying.
The Super Eagles are set to fly into Rabat on Monday, November 10, ahead of their semi-final clash with Gabon at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan. Cameroon will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other semi-final at the 18,000-capacity El-Barid Stadium.
Nigeria 24-Man Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa Play-Off:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolves, England), Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)
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