WC qualifiers: Finidi hands first call-ups to Bashiru, Ismael, invites 23 for South Africa, Benin

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3 weeks ago
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Nigeria’s coach, Finidi George, has announced a 23-man squad to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The squad features in-form players like Ademola Lookman and African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, alongside experienced goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, as well as midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Kelechi Iheanacho.

There are also first-time call-ups for defender Sadiq Ismael and midfielder Fisayo Bashiru.

Nigeria will take on South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on June 7th, followed by a clash with Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on June 10th.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France).

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