By Boluwatife Kehinde
Stanley Nwabali has been named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite lingering doubts over his fitness.
The Super Eagles will face Rwanda and South Africa in early September, with the Nigerian Football Federation unveiling the squad on Thursday.
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Nwabali, who impressed during the Africa Cup of Nations, is joined in goal by Adeleye Adebayo and Amas Obasogie, strengthening the team’s defensive depth.
In attack, forwards such as Christantus Uche — recently linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers — and Tolu Arokodare have been selected to boost Nigeria’s offensive options.
The midfield features Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, while wingers Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers and Moses Simon add further attacking flair. Defensively, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel are among those named.
These fixtures carry high stakes, as Nigeria seeks to avoid the embarrassment of missing two consecutive World Cups. The Super Eagles will host Rwanda’s Amavubi in Uyo on Saturday, 6 September, before taking on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Monday, 9 September.
The full list.
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece).
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); 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); 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); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).
