In-form Bayer Leverkusen forward, Nathan Tella, former captain, Ahmed Musa, Gabriel Osho of France’s Auxerre and Kelechi Iheanacho, who now plays for Middlesbrough in the English second-tier league, are among 39 players listed in Coach Eric Sekou Chelle’s provisional squad for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
The full list of players in the provisional squad are goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus); and Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars).
The defenders are 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); and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International).
The midfielders include 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); and Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes).
The forward line has the highest number of players in the squad with Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); and Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy) leading the group.
Others are Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC,
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