Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has named Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen and Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi in his 23-man squad for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying games against Lesotho and Benin Republic.

Osimhen missed the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against South Africa last month after he was forced off in the first half of the 1-0 win against Rwanda in Uyo, days before the clash.

With two games left in the African qualifiers, Nigeria currently sits third in Group C with 11 points, three points behind Benin Republic and South Africa, after the Super Eagles were handed a lifeline following FIFA’s three points deduction from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a fixture against Lesotho on March 21, 2025, a game Bafana Bafana initially won 2-0.

Also in the squad are Captain William Troost-Ekong, Tolu Arokodare, and Ademola Lookman, just as the quartet of Terem Moffi, Semi Ajayi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Olakunle Olusegun return, while Sevilla forward Akor Adams has earned a maiden call-up.

Goalkeepers include Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Adeleye Adebayo, while the other defenders are Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Felix Agu, and Benjamin Fredericks.

Other midfielders called by Chelle are Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Wilfred Ndidi.

Apart from Lookman, who made the list, other forwards expected to play are Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Simon Moses, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, Terem Moffi, Akor Adams, and Olakunle Olusegun.