Nigeria’s 23-man Super Eagles squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe has been confirmed, Soccernet.ng reports.
Head coach Eric Chelle unveiled the final list on Tuesday, March 11, via the Super Eagles’ social media channels, trimming it down from the provisional 39-man squad that sparked considerable debate last week.
Chelle has opted for a balanced selection, comprising three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and eight forwards.
As expected, key Super Eagles regulars made the cut, with Africa Player of the Year Ademola Lookman and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen spearheading the attack.
Stanley Nwabali retains his spot in goal, while defensive stalwarts William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey are also included. In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi and Raphael Onyedika feature prominently.
Genk forward Tolu Arokodare and former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie also made the final selection.
Notably, 16 players from the initial squad were dropped, including Göztepe youngster Anthony Dennis and Southampton striker Paul Onuachu.
Despite his brilliance for Udinese last night on his return from injury, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye misses out. Also not in the final shortlist are the duo of team captain Ahmed Musa and Rangers star Cyriel Dessers.
Nigeria will trade tackles with Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before returning to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo to lock horns with Zimbabwe four days later.
The two games are must-win fixture for the Super Eagles, who have endured a torrid start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles had drawn three games and lost 2-1 to Benin Republic before Chelle was appointed manager in January.
The former Mali national team coach is the first non-Nigerian African coach to take charge of the Super Eagles.
LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE GAMES
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
