Nigeria have announced a strong 31-man provisional squad ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash with South Africa, a tie that could prove decisive in Group C.
The Super Eagles, currently on seven points from six matches, trail Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana by six points and must secure positive results to keep their qualification hopes alive.
South Africa will first face Lesotho on September 5 before hosting Nigeria four days later in what could be a defining fixture.
Head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has called up captain William Troost-Ekong, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey.
Midfielders include Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, alongside forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon.
The full squad also features top performers from Europe, including Bayer Leverkusen duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan, and Atalanta winger Lookman.
Here is the full list of the players called up.
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla FC, Spain)