Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has returned to the national team after nearly a year, making the squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The veteran forward, who last played for the team almost a year ago, is among the 39-man provisional squad released ahead of the must-win fixtures. The list includes key players, fresh faces, and some returning stars.
Musa, Nigeria’s highest goal scorer in World Cup history, was part of the squad that reached the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final last year but did not feature in any game. Now, he is set to be an option for the Super Eagles as they push for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Since his appointment in January, head coach Eric Chelle has closely followed the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), leading to the inclusion of home-based players. Among them are Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers), Papa Daniel Mustapha (formerly of Niger Tornadoes), and Musa.
The squad also features key players from the AFCON campaign, including African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi.
Additionally, Joe Aribo, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, and Jordan Torunarigha—who have been absent from the squad for a while—have been recalled for the qualifiers.
The final squad will be trimmed to 23 players ahead of the matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe on March 21 and 25.
Nigeria currently sits fourth in Group C of the African qualifiers, with just three points from four games. Rwanda leads the group with seven points, followed by South Africa, who also have seven but with an inferior goal difference.
With qualification at stake, the Super Eagles will be aiming for victories to revive their chances of making it to the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria’s Provisional Squad for Rwanda, Zimbabwe World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, Belgium); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK, Turkey); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC, England); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England); Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain).
