Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro released his 23-man list of invited players on Thursday ahead of their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The Portuguese manager called up Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in place of Israeli-based Adebayo Adeleye, along with regulars like Kenneth Omeruo, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Our roster for #Lesotho & #Zimbabwe WCQ#soarsupereagles #letsdoitagain #wcq pic.twitter.com/oYCkxWFoFd
— ???????? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 9, 2023
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is the biggest omission on the list as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury he picked up during the last international break against Saudi Arabia.
Bayer Leverkusen attacker Nathan Tella, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, also got the nudge and will be in line to make his national team debut for the Eagles.
Cardiff City full-back Jamilu Collins makes his long-awaited return after a lengthy lay-off due to injury, as does Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar, who also makes a return after a long absence with an ACL injury.
Francis Uzoho, Enyimba’s Olorunleke Ojo, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi also made the shortlist of players.
The Super Eagles will kick off their race to the next World Cup slated for the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada in 2026 with a Group C opener against the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Thursday, November 16.
Three days later, they will make a trip to Rwanda to take on the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the artificial turf of the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday, November 19.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales)
Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
