Coach Finidi George has taken a first bold step towards getting the Super Eagles 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with squad list of deserving players, who have the quality to beat both South Africa and Benin next month.
SCORENigeria rates the call-ups for the two crunch ties.
Goalkeepers:
8 Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United/RSA)
On the strength of what he produced at the 2023 AFCON and his current form in South Africa, the giant shot stopper deserves his invitation. His heroics against Bafana Bafana at the AFCON will be an added boost when both teams clash again on June 7 in Uyo.
8 Maduka Okoye (Udinese/ITA)
He has earned his recall on the back of what he has shown in the Italian Serie A this season after he established himself as Udinese No 1. He will give Nwabali the much-needed competition.
6 Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
The Enyimba goalkeeper will take his place as an understudy to two top goalkeepers as he continues to be groomed for bigger responsibilities. His invitation will also give the NPFL a sense of belonging.
Defenders:
7 Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista/POR)
His versatility means he can play in the heart of the defence or as fullback. He has done well at his Portuguese club to get the nod.
7 Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce/TUR)
He showed his class at the AFCON and with Turkish giants Fenerbache, who have bounced back to top reckoning after some struggles. He should keep his place at right back.
6 Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC)
The rightback has been credited with 12 assists in the NPFL this season. It is now left for him to show what he can do in elite company.
6 Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion/ENG)
He was ever-present as the Super Eagles went all the way to the AFCON Final, but he has since lost his place at English club West Bromwich Albion. He could be match rusty going into the qualifiers.
7 Calvin Bassey (Fulham/ENG)
He has fought back after a difficult time at Ajax to make his way in the Premier League with Fulham and was solid at the AFCON. He deserves his call-up.
5 Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC/TAN)
He did not convince on his debut against Ghana in March despite the hype in social media. Probably another young player to be groomed.
Midfielders:
8 Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City/ENG)
He enjoyed a most prolific season in an advanced midfield role as Leicester City made an immediate return to the Premier League. He is one of handful of top-class Super Eagles stars injury permitting. He was sorely missed at the AFCON and so most welcome addition for two important matches.
8 Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge/BEL)
He did not enjoy game time at the AFCON, but he has since posted some five-star displays for Club Brugge as they seek their 19th league championship in Belgium.
7 Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp/BEL)
He was decent on his AFCON debut even though his club Antwerp tumbled back in Belgium after they won the league and cup double the previous season.
7 Frank Onyeka (Brentford/ENG)
After subdued performances in a green-white-green shirt, ‘The Tank’ came into his element at the AFCON. Hopefully, he will overcome his injury niggles and be a starter for the Eagles again.
7 Alex Iwobi (Fulham/ENG)
He ought to provide the creativity in midfield for the team, but could not do so at the AFCON after he was forced to track back and help out in defence. It will now be between him and Alhassan who will provide the creative juice for Nigeria’s feared attack to fire.
7 Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor/TUR)
He has been on the fringes of the team and has been recalled to bring much-needed creativity in the middle of the park. He has done well at struggling Turkish club Hatayaspor and now gets another chance to prove he can cut it at this level.
Forwards:
7 Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)
A deserved invitation after playing his own role in Bayer Leverkusen unforgettable season. This is his chance to establish himself in the team.
8 Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli/ITA)
He gave 110% at the AFCON and will do same in the World Cup qualifiers, hopefully free of any injury worries. He will be one of the first names on Starting XI and he will get a lot more quality support upfront time time.
6 Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City/ENG)
He has lost his place at Leicester City and only played a bit role at the AFCON. His class not in doubt, but what of his match sharpness? He did not feature in his club’s closing four games before he was brought on for 12 minutes in a final game against Blackburn Rovers.
7 Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan/ITA)
Inconsistency has remained his bane, but in recent games for Milan he has proved his quality. He is exciting at his best and terrible when not.
8 Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor/TUR)
A different type of centre-forward than Victor Osimhen and so a good option should you want to go Route 1. He has turned around his career in Turkey after the nightmare at Southampton.
8 Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC/ITA)
A game winner for both club and country. He proved this at the AFCON with his goals to get Nigeria past Cameroon and Angola. Will he play alongside Osimhen ahead of Victor Boniface?
8 Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)
He is always an exciting addition to any team as he not only scores goals but also provides assists. It’s between him and Ademola Lookman for who will partner Osimhen in attack.
8 Terem Moffi (OGC Nice/FRA)
He got back to scoring goals at his French Ligue 1 club after he was frozen out at the AFCON. It is for him to make the most of his chances when he gets it.
Lookman rating should be a 10