2026 World Cup: Eric Chelle Releases 23-man Squad Ahead Of Lesotho, Benin Clash

The Head Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Eric Chelle, has unveiled the 23-man squad ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and the Republic of Benin. These matches, which are crucial to Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, will be played on October 10 and 14, 2025. The Super Eagles have been relieved of a heavy disqualification possibility after they played a 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

The South African national team dominated the Group C table with 17 points after the match, but following FIFA’s verdict, three points and three goals were deducted for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena. This deduction gave hope to the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they hope to amass a maximum of six points in the upcoming matches. Despite the sanction, South Africa remains at the top of the group with 14 points, followed by Benin in second place with the same number of points. Nigeria sits in the third position with 11 points.

Chelle was announced as the head coach of the Nigeria Senior Football National Team on January 7, 2025, and has been the tactician of the Super Eagles since then. Before his appointment with the NFF, he managed the Malian national football team from 2022 to 2024. His record with the Super Eagles has not been scrutinised, considering the level of experience and talent. He hopes to turn the tables around by qualifying the nation for the World Cup after the country failed to qualify for the previous edition.

The squad includes Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie and Adebayo Adeleye in goal, while William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey lead the other defenders. Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alhasan Yusuf will oversee the midfield, while Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare will lead the other attackers in the approaching matches.

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