Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is expected to announce his final squad this week for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as the camp will be opened in Kigali on March 16.
The Super Eagles are facing a must-win situation in their World Cup qualifying campaign, currently sitting fifth in their group without a win after four games. They will face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 and host Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on March 25.
Eric Chelle released his initial 39-man provisional squad on March 4, recalling captain Ahmed Musa while featuring top players like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi. The list also included newcomers such as Tolu Arokodare, Chrisantus Uche, Akor Adams, Kayode Bankole, Igoh Ogbu, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Papa Daniel and Antony Dennis.
However, the squad is expected to be trimmed to 23 players with the World Cup qualifying matches approaching and with club football about to go on a break.
Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Sevilla’s Akor Adams are expected to be omitted due to injuries. Meanwhile, there is ongoing debate about the striker position, particularly with Sadiq Umar’s recent form, having scored four goals in his last four games.
There are also concerns about the form of other strikers, including Kelechi Iheanacho, who has failed to score since moving to Middlesbrough in January, and Paul Onuachu, who has been plagued by injuries while recording only two goals and one assist this season.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the inclusion of Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers, who has had an impressive season with 22 goals and six assists. There have been suggestions that Dessers could be paired with Victor Osimhen in attack, but Eric Chelle’s plans for the World Cup qualifiers remain to be seen.
The final squad announcement will reveal Eric Chelle’s strategy for the crucial World Cup qualifiers. With the team’s fate hanging in the balance, fans are hoping for a winning combination that will propel the Super Eagles to victory.
