Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, is set to unveil his final 23-man squad this week ahead of Nigeria’s critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The Malian tactician, who named an expanded provisional squad of 39 players last week, has left Nigerian football fans eagerly awaiting his selection for what will be his debut matches in charge of the Super Eagles.
Chelle’s appointment has come at a pivotal moment for Nigerian football.
The Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the World Cup are hanging by a thread following a disastrous start to their campaign, with just three points from a possible 12 in Group C.
The provisional squad announced last week contains a mix of experienced veterans and exciting young talents, signalling Chelle’s intent to rejuvenate a team that has struggled for form and consistency in recent fixtures.
Among the most significant inclusions is veteran captain, Ahmed Musa, whose return to the squad has been widely welcomed by supporters.
As Nigeria’s most-capped player, Musa’s leadership will be vital in navigating the team through this challenging period.
There are also first-time call-ups for in-form striker Tolu Arokodare and promising midfielder Chrisantus Uche, both of whom have been in scintillating form in European football this season.
The squad also features key figures such as Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface, and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, all of whom will be expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming qualifiers.
The Super Eagles’ current predicament stems from a poor start to the qualification campaign. After drawing with Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, and suffering a shock defeat to Benin Republic, Nigeria now finds itself in fifth place in Group C, with just three points.
This early struggle echoes the disappointment of their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign, where Nigeria was eliminated by Ghana on away goals following a 1-1 aggregate draw in the final playoff round.
With the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes on the line, the upcoming fixtures against Rwanda on March 21 in Kigali and Zimbabwe on March 25 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo have taken on must-win status.
Anything less than six points could severely damage Nigeria’s chances of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Rwanda currently leads Group C, making the away fixture in Kigali particularly challenging. A win in that match could prove decisive for Nigeria’s World Cup qualification ambitions.
As the countdown to this crucial double-header continues, all eyes will be on Chelle’s final squad announcement, which is expected to provide the first glimpse of his tactical approach and vision for the Super Eagles going forward.
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