Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is set to announce his final 23-man squad this week, ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month. According to PUNCH Sports Extra, the Malian tactician released an expanded provisional squad of 39 players last week, keeping the Nigerian football community eagerly waiting for his final selection. These upcoming matches will mark his debut in charge of the three-time African champions.
Chelle’s appointment comes at a critical time for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles have had a disastrous start to their qualification campaign, earning only three points out of a possible 12. The expanded provisional squad shows an interesting mix of experienced campaigners and promising young talents, suggesting that Chelle is determined to revitalize a team that has struggled for form and consistency in recent outings.
Among the notable names in the provisional squad is veteran captain Ahmed Musa, whose leadership is seen as crucial in this challenging period. Additionally, first-time call-ups like in-form striker Tolu Arokodare and promising midfielder Chrisantus Uche have attracted attention for their impressive performances in European football this season. Other key players include Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface, and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, all of whom are expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming fixtures.
PUNCH Sports Extra has learned that Chelle is expected to reveal the final squad later this week, after the conclusion of the Champions League last-16 games on Wednesday. The team is scheduled to resume camp in Kigali on Sunday ahead of the double-header. The upcoming fixtures—against Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 and Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25—are seen as must-win matches. With Nigeria currently fifth in Group C and having only managed draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, anything less than six points could severely damage their World Cup qualification hopes.
Rwanda currently leads Group C, making the away fixture in Kigali particularly challenging and potentially decisive for Nigeria’s qualification ambitions. This situation mirrors the struggles of the 2022 World Cup qualification campaign, where Nigeria lost their ticket to Ghana on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate draw in the final playoff round.
All eyes are now on Chelle’s final selection, which will offer the first real insight into his tactical philosophy and approach to managing one of Africa’s most storied football teams. His decisions could shape the future of Nigerian football as they strive to qualify for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
