Captain William Ekong, full-back Olaoluwa Aina and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi are back in the Super Eagles’ nest for next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
This year’s AFCON Player of the Competition, Ekong, was ruled out of Matchdays 3 and 4 of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying in June due to recovering from injury, while Aina, Awoniyi and reigning African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen were all sidelined through injury.
There are three goalkeepers, including AFCON 2023 star Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards.
Bendel Insurance in safe hands Amas Obasogie also returns, as does South Africa-based defender Olisa Ndah and Taiwo Awoniyi, who has not been called up since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo on the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in November last year.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella was conspicuous by his absence from the squad despite having a solid season last season and also a good start this season.
The Super Eagles will take on the Benin Republic Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, September 7, before flying to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, September 10.
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, Türkiye); 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)
