The Nigerian football community is eagerly anticipating the final 23-man Super Eagles squad list ahead of their crucial clashes against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Soccernet.ng reports.
Earlier, newly appointed Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle expanded his provisional squad to 39 players, introducing several fresh faces to the mix.
This has further heightened anticipation as fans await his final selection for what will be his debut as head coach of the three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions.
Soccernet.ng understands that the Malian tactician is expected to release the squad list this week, with the team set to resume camp shortly after in preparation for the must-win encounters.
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The 2013 AFCON champions missed out on the 2022 World Cup after losing their qualification ticket to Ghana. Now, history appears to be repeating itself, as Nigeria has managed just three points from a possible 12, leaving them fifth in the group standings.
So far, the team has drawn against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa while suffering a shock defeat to Benin Republic. Another setback could severely damage their qualification chances.
Chelle is expected to select his best squad from the 39-man list, hoping to give Nigerian football fans something to cheer about later this month.
Roster for #2026WCQ vs Rwanda and Zimbabwe #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/rljpOZkyyd
— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 4, 2025
Nigeria will travel to tackle the Wasps of Rwanda on the 21st of March in Kigali, then return home to host Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on the 25th of March.
As most Nigeria players are performing very well in their respective clubs, ERIC CHELLE SHOULD SELECTION HIS FINAL 23-MAN LIST base on QUALITY & POTENTIAL.
Although, there are some players that they didn’t deserve to be invited at first place like:
**BONIFACE (due to inability to prove himself despite given 12 matches played without a goal or make assist),
**ARIBO ( due to his sluggishness on the field of play on Africa soil)
**IHEANACHO (due to irregular playing time, warming bench for past two seasons ago)
**ONUACHU (due to his inability to adjust to playing pattern of super eagle team with NO RECOMMENDATION OF ONE MATCH PLAYED with good performance on the field of play since his inception into super eagle team)
**OKOYE ( serving suspension for more than two months due to involvement in BET)
** AKOR (not yet play for past past two months since his transfer to new club, Sevilla).
AND I PRAY THAT ANYTHING THAT WILL MAKE ERIC CHELLE TO INCLUDE ANY ONE OF THESE PLAYERS MENTIONED ABOVE, SUPER EAGLE WILL NOT MAKE IT/QUALIFY FOR WORLD CUP
BECAUSE, the FIRST PURPOSE WHY Eric Chelle was employed, is to select/invite players based on MERIT ( NOT BY SENTIMENT, FAVOURISM, QUOTA SYSTEM OR COLLECTING BRIBE FROM PLAYERS BEFORE BEING SELECTED, JUST LIKE 89% OF NIGERIA COACHES DOES)
#### BEST REGULAR PLAYERS BASED ON CURRENT FORM, QUALITY, POTENTIAL ( without EGO, SENIORITY or SENTIMENT)###
1. NWABILI – ADELEYE — OBASOGIE
2. AINA. — OSAYI
3. BRUNO. — JORDAN
4. ONYEDIKA — NDIDI — ONYEKA
5. BASSEY — OSHO
6. LOOKMAN — TELLA
8. DESSERS. — SADIG
9. OSIMHEN
10. IWOBI — ANTHONY DENNIS — BASIRU
11. EJUKE — SIMON
### STANDBY ####
ZAIDU
OGBU
MUSA
CHUKWUEZE
AROKODARE
CHRISANTUS
@@@ .. players to BE DROPPED @@@
OKOYE, BANKOLE. IFEANYI. ARIBO. PAPA-DANIEL, IHEANACHO, BONIFACE, ONUACHU, AKOR, AL-HASSAN