Ademola Lookman, the current sensation in football, and African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen are among the 23 players called up for Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. The squad, announced by Head Coach Finidi George, will face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles will clash with South Africa on June 7 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, with the match kicking off at 8:00 p.m. They will then travel to Abidjan to take on Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on June 10, starting at 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time.
Coach Finidi George’s selections include goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, England-based defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, and midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Alhassan Yusuf. The forward lineup features Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi.
For the first time, Remo Stars’ tough defender Sadiq Ismael has been called up, alongside Turkey-based midfielder Fisayo Bashiru, Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella, and forward Paul Onuachu.
**Full Super Eagles Squad:**
**Goalkeepers:**
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
– Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
– Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
**Defenders:**
– Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal)
– Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
– Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC)
– Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)
– Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
– Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)
**Midfielders:**
– Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
– Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
– Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium)
– Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
– Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
– Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)
**Forwards:**
– Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
– Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy)
– Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)
– Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
– Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey)
– Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
– Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
– Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this strong lineup aims to secure Nigeria’s spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
