Peseiro ignores Musa, Troost-Ekong for Eagles’ tie against Lesotho, Zimbabwe

Super Eagles’ Manager, Jose Peseiro,

Head Coach, Jose Santos Peseiro, has left out the captain and vice-captain of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong, for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

It is fueling speculations that Peseiro might have retired the duo from the Super Eagles. He, however, invited goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi among others in 23-man list released by the football authorities. There are also goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.

Defender Jamilu Collins makes a return after a long lay-off owing to injury, and there is a also a call for Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s forward, Nathan Tella. Spain-based striker Sadiq Umar also makes a return after a long absence.

The Super Eagles kick-start their race to the huge house party in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada in 2026 with a session against the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, next week Thursday, and then fly to Rwanda for a clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday, November 19.

The 20,000-capacity Huye Stadium, located in the city of Butare, which is 135 kilometres south of the Rwandan capital, Kigali, has an artificial turf.

Zimbabwe has adopted Rwanda as home for the qualifiers as no stadium in the southern African nation has been deemed fit to host the FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

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