BREAKING: Super Eagles Unveil Strong Squad for Must-Win WC Qualifiers

Nigeria’s Senior men’s national team, the Super Eagles, has released a strong 23-man list for October’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and the Benin Republic.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that head coach Eric Chelle has handed Sevilla striker Akor Adams his first call-up to the national team.

Captain William Troost-Ekong heads the squad, with Semi Ajayi, Terem Moffi, Alhassan Yusuf and Olakunle Olusegun also making their return after time away. Stanley Nwabali keeps his spot in goal, joined by Amas Obasogie and Adebayo Adeleye.

In defence, Felix Agu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredrick and Calvin Bassey were all included. The midfield line-up features Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alhassan Yusuf.

Up front, Victor Osimhen leads a strong attack with Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, Moffi, Olusegun and debutant Adams.

The squad announcement follows the recent development in Group C of the qualifiers. It can be recalled that FIFA recently sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player. The ruling awarded Lesotho a 3–0 win, reducing South Africa’s points and handing Nigeria a fresh lifeline.

Benin and South Africa now sit at the top with 14 points each, Nigeria and Rwanda follow closely on 11, while Lesotho has 9. Zimbabwe remain bottom and out of the race. A win in the two upcoming fixtures could see Nigeria leapfrog their rivals to 17 points.

The Eagles face Lesotho in Polokwane on October 10 before hosting Benin Republic in Uyo on October 14.

The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.