The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday released the Super Eagles squad to prosecute the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda next month.
Nantes winger Moses Simon is back in the squad after his injury set back suffered during an international friendly against Mali last March.
Victor Osimhen and Ola Aina who missed the games against South Africa and Benin are back to the squad, same as Taiwo Awoniyi who also missed out due to injury.
Stanley Nwabali headlines the goalkeeper corps that includes Maduka Okoye and returnee Amas Obasogie.
Super Eagles squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
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 (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
Here are 3 big talking points from the latest Super Eagles squad.
Super Eagles return for William Troost-Ekong
William Troost-Ekong, who just joined Al-Kholood FC of Saudi Arabia was rumoured to be dropped because he had gone to Asia.
He was also left out of Nigeria’s first round of games of the World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin, but he has been handed a recall to the squad.
Troost-Ekong was Nigeria’s most influential player at the last Africa Cup of Nations and was awarded the Player of the Tournament gong.
Amas Obasogie gets another shot at the big time
Another surprise call-up is Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie.
Rumoured to be on his way to Ethiopia, Obasogie, has not been called up to the squad since his maiden call up in 2023.
He was part of the squad that prosecuted the World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, which both ended in draws.
Olisa Ndah hoping to cement his place this time
There have been a lot of calls from different quarters for the inclusion of Olisa Ndah in the Super Eagles in recent times.
The Orlando Pirates defender has been in great form for this club and a lot of fans felt he should have been part of the team.
Frozen out after making Nigeria’s squad to the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon in 2022, he finally gets the call and will hope to use the opportunity to cement his place in the team.
The players are expected to report to camp on 2 September
The Super Eagles are expected to report to camp on September 2, ahead of their match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on 7 September, as Bruno Labbadia starts his reign as the Super Eagles coach.
Following this, they will travel to Kigali to face the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium on 10 September
