Eric Chelle, coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles, has left out Kelechi Iheanacho, the latest signing for Middlesbrough, as he named a 23-player squad in preparation for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.
As the former Malian coach begins his task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup, starting with the match against Rwanda on March 17, reports indicate that Chelle has submitted his preliminary list without Iheanacho, who recently transferred from Sevilla FC to Middlesbrough in the English Championship.
Iheanacho’s career has been on a downward trajectory since his move from Leicester City to Sevilla, where his spell in Spain proved disappointing. The 28-year-old struggled to make an impact, failing to score a single goal in nine La Liga appearances. At the national team level, his form has also dipped, leaving many to question whether his time in international football has come to an end.
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Despite his struggles, Iheanacho’s return to England with a Championship side has sparked some hope among his supporters that his career is not over. However, his poor form in Spain and subsequent lack of national team selection highlight the difficulties of maintaining a top-tier career when one’s fitness and performance decline.
Under former interim Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen, Iheanacho faced criticism for underperforming on the international stage.
For the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Chelle reportedly submitted a list of 35 players but will select 23 to face Rwanda and Zimbabwe, as per instructions from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). However, the NFF, led by Ibrahim Gusau, has stated that the list is subject to change due to injury or fitness concerns.
Barring any changes, the following players are set to feature in the two matches: Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Williams Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Semi Ajayi. Also included are Ahmed Musa, Stanley Nwabali, Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo, Nathan Tella, Paul Onuachu, and Calvin Bassey.
New faces in the squad include 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, 18-year-old George Ilenikhena, 19-year-old Victor Udoh, 20-year-old Ahmed Abdullahi, and 22-year-old Kazeem Olaigbe. Other new names are Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (20), Samuel Edozie (21), Tino Anjorin (23), Uche Chrisantus, and Chuba Akpom.
The final squad will be confirmed closer to the match dates, and Nigerian fans will be hoping for nothing less than a World Cup qualification from Chelle and the NFF.
