Osimhen and 22 other Super Eagles stars invited to Benin and Rwanda clash at AFCONQ

Captain William Ekong, full-back Olaoluwa Aina and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi return to the Super Eagles fold, for next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

This year’s AFCON Player of the Year, Ekong, will miss Matchday 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June as he continues to recover from an injury. Meanwhile, Aina, Awoniyi and reigning African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen are all absent due to injuries.

There are three goalkeepers, including AFCON 2023 star Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards.

Bendel Insurance’s 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 Matchday 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November last year.

The Super Eagles will face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, September 7, before flying to Kigali to face Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, September 10.

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The squad recently got a new manager, Bruno Labbadia.

All players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, September 2 ahead of the match.

COMPLETE TEAM

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)

Defender: 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)

Osimhen, 22 other Super Eagles stars invited for Benin, Rwanda AFCONQ clashes first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.