Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a 23-man squad for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic, with star striker Victor Osimhen making his long-awaited return to the Super Eagles lineup.
Osimhen, who missed the South Africa game after sustaining an injury against Rwanda, headlines a strong attacking unit that also features Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Terem Moffi, and Moses Simon.
Nigeria currently sit third in Group C with 11 points, three behind co-leaders Benin Republic and South Africa.
However, FIFA’s recent sanction against Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player has reignited hopes of automatic qualification for the Super Eagles.
Chelle’s men will first travel to Maseru to face Lesotho on October 10 before returning home to host Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic four days later in Abuja.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders:
William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany), Benjamin Fredrick (Dender, Belgium)
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey)
Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos, Greece), Tolu Arokodare (Genk, Belgium), Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France), Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)
