The battle for the Super Eagles’ road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached a critical stage, and head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a 31-man squad tasked with reviving Nigeria’s qualification hopes.
Nigeria, currently sitting in fourth place in Group C with seven points, are staring at a make-or-break September. They face Rwanda at home, before a high-stakes showdown against South Africa in Bloemfontein on September 9. Anything short of maximum points could leave the dream of reaching USA, Mexico, and Canada 2026 in tatters.
Chelle has kept faith with his key generals — Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, and Stanley Nwabali — but has also injected fresh energy. Sevilla striker Jerome Adams earns his first-ever international call-up, while Terem Moffi marks a long-awaited return from injury.
“This is the time to fight like never before. Every game is now a final,” Chelle told reporters after releasing the list.
Squad highlight: Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye, Harcourt Ebenezer, Defenders: Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Aina, Osayi-Samuel, Onyemaechi, Ogbu, Awaziem, Agu, Benjamin Fredrick. Midfielders: Iwobi, Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Ndidi, Dele-Bashiru, Onyedika, Christantus Uche. Forwards: Lookman, Chukwueze, Osimhen, Moses Simon, Boniface, Tella, Dessers, Sadiq Umar, Arokodare, Moffi, Akor Adams.
With just six group-stage games remaining, the Eagles know the margin for error has disappeared. The clashes against Rwanda and South Africa will not just test Chelle’s tactical acumen but also the hunger of a squad desperate to avoid another painful World Cup absence after Qatar 2022.
For millions of Nigerians, the countdown has begun: September is judgment month.
For George, the message is clear: the PDP must choose between enforcing discipline or watching its future slip away.