Chelle Unveils 24-Man Super Eagles Squad for World Cup Play-off in Morocco

By: Ojay Matthew

Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has released a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament slated to hold next week in Rabat, Morocco.

Captain William Troost-Ekong headlines the list, alongside star forward Victor Osimhen, trusted goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey. Also included are 89-cap midfielder Alex Iwobi, youngster Benjamin Fredericks, midfield anchors Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and attackers Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman.

Nigeria will open its campaign against Gabon in the first semi-final at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan on Thursday. Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo will square off in the second semi-final at the 18,000-capacity El-Barid Stadium, also in Rabat.

Chelle has also recalled goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Spain-based winger Chidera Ejuke, with midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams and Olusegun Olakunle earning places on the roster.

Defender Semi Ajayi will miss the fixture against Gabon due to suspension, having accumulated two yellow cards during the qualifiers.

The players are expected to arrive in Rabat from their respective clubs on Monday, November 10.

Nigeria’s Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off

Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)

Defenders:
William Troost-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 (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); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)