Nigeria’s Head Coach, Finidi George, has selected an impressive lineup of 23 players, including the in-form Ademola Lookman, African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, and reliable goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
George’s squad also features goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, England-based defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Alhassan Yusuf, along with forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi.
Making his first appearance is Remo Stars’ resilient defender Sadiq Ismael, joined by Turkey-based midfielder Fisayo Bashiru, Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella, and towering forward Paul Onuachu.
Nigeria will take on South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, June 7th at 8 PM. Following this, they will head to Abidjan to face Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Monday, June 10th at 4 PM local time (5 PM Nigerian time).
Goalkeepers:
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
– Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
– Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
Defenders:
– Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal)
– Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
– Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC)
– Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)
– Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
– Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)
Midfielders:
– Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
– Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
– Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium)
– Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
– Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
– Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)
Forwards:
– Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
– Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy)
– Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)
– Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
– Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey)
– Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
– Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
– Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
