Osimhen, Chukweze, Ndidi out; Tella, Awoniyi, Onyemaechi in: Peseiro calls up 23 players for Lesotho and Zimbabwe clash
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are slated to tackle Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification tie
Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has announced a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, Soccernet.ng reports.
The roster includes notable names like goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Taiwo Awoniyi.
The squad also features goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi.
Jamilu Collins makes a return after a long layoff due to injury, and there’s a first-ever call for Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella. Striker Sadiq Umar, based in Spain, also makes a return after an extended absence.
The Super Eagles will kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a match against Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, followed by an away clash against Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday, November 19.
The Huye Stadium, located in Butare, Rwanda, has been chosen as Zimbabwe’s home venue for the qualifiers, as no stadium in Zimbabwe met the criteria for hosting FIFA World Cup qualifying games.
List of Invited Players:
Goalkeepers:
1. Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
2. Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
3. Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)
Defenders:
1. Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
2. Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal)
3. Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
4. Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)
5. Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey)
6. Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)
7. Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
8. Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales)
Midfielders:
1. Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
2. Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England)
3. Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
4. Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards:
1. Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)
2. Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)
3. Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
4. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
5. Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
6. Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
7. Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
8. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
