World Cup Playoffs: Chelle Picks Osimhen, Okoya, Moses, 21 Others For Gabon, Cameroon, DR Congo

World Cup Playoffs: Chelle Picks Osimhen, Okoya, Moses, 21 Others For Gabon, Cameroon, DR Congo

Ibrahim Lateef

Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen, captain William Ekong, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, and Simon Moses have been included in Nigeria’s 24-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Playoff Tournament, set to take place next week in Rabat, Morocco, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

Coach Eric Chelle has also selected 89-cap midfielder Alex Iwobi, promising young defender Benjamin Fredericks, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, as well as forwards Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.

Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final, scheduled to be held at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat.

In the other semi-final, Cameroon will confront the Democratic Republic of Congo at the 18,000-capacity El-Barid Stadium, also located in Rabat.

Chelle has recalled Okoye and Spain-based forward Chidera Ejuke. The roster also includes midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olusegun Olakunle.

Defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, who is suspended for one match after receiving two yellow cards during the 10-match qualifying campaign, will miss the clash against the Panthers on Thursday.

The players are scheduled to arrive in Morocco from their various bases in Europe and elsewhere, converging in Rabat on Monday, November 10th.

24 SUPER EAGLES FOR 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP AFRICA PLAY-OFF TOURNAMENT

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)