ABUJA – In preparation for next month’s high-stakes FIFA World Cup qualifying clashes against Rwanda and South Africa, head coach of the Nigerian national football team, Eric Chelle, has officially announced his final 23-man list. The roster, made public on Thursday through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), features a blend of familiar faces and some surprising absentees, sparking immediate reactions across the local football community.
As expected, several of the Super Eagles’ dependable figures have retained their spots in the squad, including key players who featured prominently in Nigeria’s recent international outings. These include midfield anchors, tested defenders, and attacking options that have earned the trust of Chelle since his appointment.
However, what has drawn more attention among fans and analysts alike are the names missing from the list. While the coach did not elaborate extensively on the rationale behind certain exclusions, sources close to the national team setup hinted at factors such as form, injuries, and tactical preferences as reasons for the final selection. Some players who had been regulars under previous regimes were conspicuously dropped, leading to fresh debates over whether Chelle is ushering in a new era of merit-based call-ups.
Chelle, who took over the reins earlier this year, has continually emphasized his desire to build a cohesive unit focused on discipline, physical fitness, and technical intelligence. His latest squad announcement appears to reinforce that vision, as younger players and those thriving in foreign leagues have been granted opportunities to prove themselves on the biggest stage of African football.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Rwanda and South Africa in back-to-back fixtures next month as part of the ongoing CAF qualifying series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Nigeria currently sits in a competitive qualifying group and must secure maximum points to boost their chances of returning to the global football fiesta, having narrowly missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.