2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Chelle drops Musa, Picks 23 Super Eagles for Rwanda, Zimbabwe clash

By Wale Mustapha

Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The three-time African champions will compete in two crucial Group C fixtures later this month, with Rwanda hosting Nigeria in Kigali on March 21 and the Eagles facing Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later.

Notable players in the squad include regular Super Eagles stars such as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Simon Moses.

Also making the list are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.

Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu also earned a spot, along with home-based midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha and Belgium-based forward Tolu Arokodare.

In a surprising omission, coach Peseiro decided not to include Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa in the final squad for these vital matches.

Other players who missed out on selection include goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forward Cyriel Dessers.

With Nigeria aiming to strengthen its position in the World Cup qualifiers, these encounters against Rwanda and Zimbabwe will be crucial as they seek to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.