Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle on Friday unveiled a 31-man provisional squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, Afrosport reports.
Chelle’s list features four goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders and 10 forwards ahead of the crucial fixtures. The 47-year-old Malian is expected to trim the squad over the coming days, with players set to report to camp shortly.
Regulars such as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, captain William Troost-Ekong, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon all made the cut.
Other notable inclusions are defenders Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Christantus Uche, as well as forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare and Victor Boniface.
Chelle has also handed a surprise call-up to 15-year-old goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt. The Sporting Lagos Academy product recently made history at the African Nations Championships, becoming the youngest player to represent the Super Eagles when he featured in a 2–0 victory over Congo in the group stage.
Eric Chelle’s 31-man provisional list for September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa.#SoarSuperEagles #Naija4theWin pic.twitter.com/kqbsVu5z1i
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) August 22, 2025
Nigeria will host Rwanda’s Amavubi on Saturday, 6 September at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, before travelling to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana three days later at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The Super Eagles, currently fourth in Group C with seven points, need maximum points from both fixtures to strengthen their bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in North America. South Africa lead the group with 13 points, while Rwanda sit second on eight.
