The Super Eagles will be missing Victor Osimhen from Napoli and Leicester City’s midfield maestro in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe’s Harambe Stars and Lesotho’s Crocodiles.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released the squad list for the November matches, consisting of 23 players, as they kick off their journey to secure a spot in the global football event to be held in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Osimhen won’t be available due to an injury sustained during Nigeria’s friendly match against Saudi Arabia, while Ndidi is sidelined with injury concerns. Samuel Chukwueze, the new addition to AC Milan, is also notably absent from the list, but goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who has been under scrutiny, made the cut.
Nigeria, a three-time African champion, is scheduled to play against Lesotho’s Crocodiles on November 16 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, followed by a match against Zimbabwe on the 19th of the same month. They are placed in Group C for the qualification series, competing against South Africa, Rwanda, Benin, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales)
Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
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