The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Wasps of Rwanda and the Warriors of Zimbabwe during the upcoming March international break, Soccernet.ng reports.
All three nations are hungry to rack up points in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Super Eagles are currently 5th on the table, a point above Zimbabwe.
Benin Republic, Rwanda, South Africa and Lesotho currently sit above Eric Chelle‘s side in the group, and things need to change fast for the three-time African Champions.
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The Super Eagles will be without Semi Ajayi, who recently reinjured his hamstring after spending the last three months recovering from the same injury. Rapheal Onyedika is also doubtful.
With these players out, coach Chelle will have to make some tweaks to the team ahead of his debut as Nigeria's coach. Soccernet.ng predicts the Super Eagles’ lineup with the players available in tip-top condition.
Goalkeeper: Without a doubt, Stanley Nwabali is expected to start in goal against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. He's struggled a bit with his club side, largely due to the loss of his parents. Chippa United's head coach had to apologize for fielding the Nigerian without giving him enough time to grieve. The 28-year-old is still the Super Eagles' best option in goal.
Not been easy healing❤️. Man Of The Match and a clean sheet. All thanks to the team ❤️. We go again #cleansheet #Nwabali #SafeHands #MVP pic.twitter.com/IcU1IsBx7Q
— Nwabali Stanley bobo (M.O.N) (@NwabaliBobo) March 1, 2025
Defenders: Eric Chelle mostly featured a back-four during his time as Mali's head coach, and it is widely anticipated he'll revert to the same with the Super Eagles, bringing an end to the famous back three integrated by Jose Peseiro.
William Troost-Ekong's leadership at the back will be very important for Nigeria, and in-form Fulham centre-back, Calvin Bassey, will likely start alongside the former Udinese man.
Midfielders: Nigeria's games without Ndidi never feel the same. The Leicester City midfielder represents stability in midfield for the Super Eagles and could be paired alongside Alhassan Yusuf, who's somewhat become a regular for MLS side New England Revolution.
Alex Iwobi is in the form of his life in the English Premier League this season, playing an advanced role under Marco Silva. His ability to create chances and score goals makes him the most creative Nigerian midfielder in Europe this season, he'll be vital to the Super Eagles' upcoming games.
Ademola Lookman's return saw Atalanta win games again, and the CAF Player, who's made the Super Eagles' left wing his own since making his debut in 2022, will continue to do so against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Nigeria will travel to face Rwanda on the 19th of March before welcoming Zimbabwe to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on the 22nd of March.
The line-up in full: Stanley Nwabali; Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf; Alex Iwobi; Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen.
N.B: We want to know your thoughts. Do you have a different lineup in mind? Let us know in the comments.
as I see Alhassan Yusuf I know say Na PR job,
Frank Onyedika should replace Yusuf in the midfield. I still prefer Raphael to Yusuf in the midfield. it’s Frank, Raphael and Yusuf in that order.
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BREAKING: Akor, Dessers, Tella make Super Eagles provisional squad
Score Nigeria Reporter by Score Nigeria Reporter March 4, 2025 3:33 pm
Akor: Sevilla transfer early birthday gift
Jerome Akor – Sevilla new boy on Super Eagles provisional squad
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Sevilla striker Jerome Akor, Cyriel Dessers of Scottish giants Rangers as well as Nathan Tella from Bayer Lverkusen have been included on a provisional squad for the Super Eagles must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
This will be the first matches of new coach Eric Chelle.
Chelle has retained the core of the team who qualified Nigeria to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in November.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses made this provisional list of 39 players.
There are also goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.
Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams are named for the first time ever, while there could be returns for home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella, if they eventually make the final list of 23.
Nigeria, fifth in Group C behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic and Lesotho, square up to leaders Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21st March before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later.
NIGERIA’S PROVISIONAL LIST OF 39 PLAYERS FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, Belgium); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK, Turkey); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC, England); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England); Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Tags: 2026 FIFA World Cup QualifiersEric ChelleNPFLSuper EaglesVictor Osimhen
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JULIET Your comment is awaiting moderation
1 hour ago
MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT, IF TRULY THAT ERIC CHELLE WANT TO SUCCEED WITH SUPER EAGLE & QUALIFY NIGERIA FOR WORLD CUP. HE SHOULD JUST INVITE PLAYERS BASE ON QUALITY, POTENTIAL, FITNESS & PRESENT FORM, MERIT WITHOUT SENTIMENT
HE SHOULD NOT INVITE PLAYERS BASED ON USELESS EXPERIENCE/LEADERSHIP/CAPTAISHIP, MENTORSHIP, AGING, EGO, RECORD OR PAST FORM.
AND WITH ALL THIS YARDSTICKS, THE LIKE OF THIS PLAYERS: IHEANACHO, ONUACHU, AWONIYI, BONIFACE(Boni-yeye), BALOGUN, OMERUO, IZOHO, ARIBO DIDN’T DESERVED TO INVITED FOR CRUCIAL WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS.
** ONUACHU HAS FAILED WOEFULLY IN SUPER EAGLE UNDER FOUR DIFFERENT COACHES (ROHR, Equavoen, Paseiro, Finidi) because he cannot adjust to playing style of super eagle.
** ARIBO IS A SLUGGISH PLAYER, HE CANNOT PLAY AFRICA FOOTBALL.
** BONIFACE HAVE BEEN GIVEN ENOUGH CHANCES TO PROVE HIMSELF AS AN EITHER ALTERNATIVE OR MAIN STRIKER ON THE FIELD OF PLAY, BUT HE FAILED TO EVEN SHOW HIS STUFF (i.e quality) TALKLESS OF SCORING GOALS.
** IHEANACHO, MUSA AWONIYI, BALOGUN, OMERUO ARE JUST HANGING AROUND JUST IN THE NAME OF EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP, CAPTAINSHIP, MENTORSHIP.
### ERIC CHELLE SHOULD GIVE OTHER WELL MATURED, EXPOSED, QUALITY WITH GREAT POTENTIAL PLAYERS CHANCES TO SHOWCASE THEIR STUFF.
@@@@ OLISA-NDAH, AKPOM, DESSERS, AKPOGUMA, GIFT-ORBAN, EJUKE, NWAKALI, ALHASSAN, AKODARE, TELLA, ARE ALL WELL MATURED, EXPOSED, QUALITY WITH GREAT POTENTIAL PLAYERS.
### NIGERIA SHOULD STOP DECEIVING THEMSELVES WITH WORD EXPERIENCE, MENTORSHIP, CAPTAINSHIP ! ! ! ! ! ! !