Captain William Ekong, wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi are set to rejoin the Super Eagles for next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
Ekong, who was named Man of the Competition at this year’s AFCON, missed Matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June while recovering from injury. Similarly, Aina, Awoniyi, and the reigning Africa Player of the Year, Osimhen, were sidelined due to injuries.
The squad includes three goalkeepers, among them AFCON 2023 standout Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards. Also making a return are Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, South Africa-based defender Olisa Ndah, and Taiwo Awoniyi, who has not been called up since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo during Matchday 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign last November.
The Super Eagles go up against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 7th September, before flying to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, 10th September.
All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, 2nd September.
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
