Osimhen named in Nigeria squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers

general11 March 2025 20:45| © AFP
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Victor Osimhen © Getty Images

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were named in the Nigeria squad by new coach Eric Chelle on Tuesday for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Osimhen has not featured in any of Nigeria's first four games in the qualifying campaign due to injury but returns with his country still searching for their first win in Group C after three draws and a defeat.

The Super Eagles are second from bottom in the group and trail leaders Rwanda and South Africa by four points.

Ademola, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, is also included and is having another impressive season with Atalanta, scoring 18 goals in all competitions.

Nigeria travel to Rwanda on 21 March and then welcome bottom team Zimbabwe to Uyo four days later.

Former Mali boss Chelle was appointed by Nigeria in January and tasked with turning around their slow start in World Cup qualifying, after they secured a place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations late last year.

NIGERIA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United/RSA), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars/TAN), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood/KSA), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce/TUR), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos/GRE), Calvin Bassey (Fulham/ENG), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague/CZE)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City/ENG), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge/BEL), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution/USA), Alex Iwobi (Fulham/ENG), Joe Aribo (Southampton/ENG), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan/ITA), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray/TUR), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/ITA), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Moses Simon (Nantes/FRA), Sadiq Umar (Valencia/ESP), Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Tolu Arokodare (Genk/BEL)