As the Super Eagles camp bubbles in Kigali, we take a look at the statistics and key details behind the form of Eric Chelle’s 23-man squad for the upcoming fixtures against table topper, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Goalkeepers
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
South Africa-based Nwabali arrived for his first duty under Eric Chelle on Monday. The 28-year-old has made 16 appearances for the Super Eagles since debuting in January 2024 against Guinea.
This season, he has played 19 league games for Chippa United, conceding 15 goals and keeping seven clean sheets. He is expected to be the starting goalkeeper for Friday’s match.
Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
Obasogie returns to the national team with his ninth call-up, though he is yet to make his debut for the Super Eagles. Having just switched clubs, he has played 11 matches in the Tanzanian Premier League, conceding 10 goals and keeping three clean sheets.
Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
The only home-based goalkeeper in the squad, Bankole earns his first Super Eagles call-up after impressing with the home-based Eagles. He has featured in seven NPFL games this season, conceding six goals and keeping three clean sheets.
Defenders
William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood)
The 31-year-old captain will add to his 71 caps for Nigeria. Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Troost-Ekong has played 23 times for his club, scoring twice and providing one assist.
Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
Bassey has been in excellent form, missing only one of Fulham’s 29 matches this season. He has scored once and provided an assist, with 29 caps for Nigeria since his debut in 2022.
Jordan Torunarigha (Gent)
Torunarigha replaces the injured Nathan Tella, bringing the total number of defenders to seven. The 25-year-old has made 23 league appearances this season for Gent, contributing one assist.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
Aina, now a mainstay in the national team, has made 40 appearances since his debut in 2017. This season, he has played 29 times for Nottingham Forest, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce)
Since his debut in 2022, Osayi-Samuel has earned 20 caps for Nigeria. This season, he has featured 17 times for Fenerbahce, registering one assist.
Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos)
Onyemaechi, a recent addition to Olympiacos from Boavista, has made two appearances this season after debuting for Nigeria in October 2023.
Igho Ogbu (Slavia Prague)
Ogbu, a potential debutant, has scored two goals in 14 league appearances this season for Slavia Prague and rejected a chance to play for Norway to wait for his Super Eagles call-up.
Midfielders
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
The 28-year-old returns to the national team after missing the previous window. He has made 56 appearances for Nigeria, contributing one goal and four assists in 21 league matches this season for Leicester.
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Onyedika has earned 36 appearances this season for Club Brugge, scoring twice and providing two assists, and was part of Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON runner-up squad.
Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution)
Yusuf, who made his AFCON debut in January 2024, has started all four matches this season for New England Revolution, though he is yet to score or assist.
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC)
With 83 caps for Nigeria, Iwobi is one of the most experienced players in the squad. This season, he has been in great form for Fulham, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in 29 Premier League appearances.
Joe Aribo (Southampton FC)
Aribo has made 34 appearances for Nigeria since debuting in 2019. This season, he has scored three goals in 28 Premier League matches, though Southampton is struggling near the bottom of the table.
Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Mustapha, a 23-year-old breakout star in the NPFL, has impressed with his dribbling and shooting, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 18 appearances this season. His inclusion comes amid rumors of a move abroad.
Forwards
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
Chukwueze has made 42 appearances for Nigeria, scoring six goals. This season, he has contributed five goals and one assist in 29 appearances for AC Milan.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC)
Osimhen has been sensational for Galatasaray, scoring 26 goals and providing six assists in 30 matches. He has equaled Segun Odegbami’s Nigerian record of 23 goals.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC)
Lookman has been a standout performer for Atalanta, scoring 18 goals and assisting seven in 32 appearances this season. He was a key figure in Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON run.
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
Boniface has provided one assist and scored 10 goals in 22 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen this season, though he is yet to score for Nigeria.
Moses Simon (FC Nantes)
Simon, with 73 caps, has been in fine form for Nantes, contributing six goals and eight assists in 24 league matches, despite lingering ankle issues.
Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC)
Umar has scored four goals in eight appearances for Valencia since joining on loan in January, helping the club avoid relegation.
Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk)
The 24-year-old striker has enjoyed a breakout season in Belgium, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists in 34 appearances, making him one of Europe’s top Nigerian strikers.
Coach
Eric Chelle
Appointed in January 2024, Chelle is tasked with reviving Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. With experience coaching Mali, Chelle has been proactive in scouting both home-based and international Nigerian talent.
Assistant Coaches
Hedi Taboubi
Taboubi, French/Tunisian, serves as Chelle’s first assistant and was also part of his staff during his time with Mali.
Daniel Ogunmodede
The Remo Stars coach has continued in his role with the national team after assisting during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the 2024 CHAN qualifiers.
Fidelis Ilechukwu
Ilechukwu, who worked with interim coach Austin Eguavoen last year, remains with the Super Eagles, contributing to the team’s success in the 2024 CHAN qualifiers.
Thomas Gornourec
Gornourec, a UEFA A-licensed coach, takes on the role of fitness trainer for the Super Eagles, ensuring the players are in peak physical condition.
Jean Daniel Padovani
Padovani, a seasoned goalkeeper trainer, joins the Super Eagles after working with Comoros during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
