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SUPER EAGLES’ PROVISIONAL SQUAD FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE CLASHES RELEASED

Nigeria’s head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has unveiled a 39-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The list includes a mix of experienced players and new faces, as the Super Eagles aim to revive their qualifying campaign. Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Simon Moses are among the notable players included in the squad. Other experienced players who made the cut include goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, as well as forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sadiq Umar. First-time call-ups include defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, along with forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams. The Super Eagles are currently sitting fifth in Group C behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. They will face group leaders Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later. The final squad of 23 players is expected to be announced in the coming days. Coach Chelle will have to trim his squad and make some tough decisions before the crucial qualifying matches.

NIGERIA’S SUPER EAGLES DRAWN IN GROUP C ALONGSIDE TUNISIA, UGANDA, AND TANZANIA FOR AFCON 2025

The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 has been concluded, with Nigeria’s Super Eagles being placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. The draw took place on Monday night at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco. The Super Eagles, with their rich legacy in African football, will be looking to make a strong impression in the tournament. With 16 medals from 20 AFCON appearances, including three titles in 1980, 1994, and 2013, Nigeria is considered one of the dominant forces in African football. The group stage matchups against Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania are expected to test the team’s mettle under new coach Eric Chelle as they aim to advance to the knockout stages. While Group C presents its challenges, the Super Eagles’ pedigree and experience make them strong contenders to top the group and progress deep into the tournament. AFCON 2025 will be hosted by Morocco, marking the country’s first time hosting the tournament since 1988. The tournament is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, and will feature 24 qualified teams competing in six groups. The top two teams in each pool will advance to the round of 16, along with the four best third-placed sides. The Super Eagles will be looking to make a strong start in the tournament and progress to the knockout stages. The draw was conducted with the assistance of African legends Serge Aurier, Aliou Cissé, Joseph Yobo, and Mustapha Hadji, and was broadcast in over 90 countries worldwide.

NFF APPOINTS ÉRIC CHELLE AS NEW HEAD COACH OF SUPER EAGLES

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The decision was ratified by the NFF Executive Committee following the recommendation of the Federation’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee. According to the NFF, Chelle’s appointment is with immediate effect, and he is mandated to ensure the Super Eagles secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. “Coach Chelle’s vast experience as both a player and coach positions him as the right man for the job,” the NFF stated. Chelle, 47, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played for French clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais in Ligue 1. He also earned five caps for Mali’s national team, the Aiglons. As a coach, Chelle has managed GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. He was also Mali’s Head Coach from 2022 until June 2024, leading the team to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. Reacting to his appointment, Chelle expressed his commitment to the role, saying, “I am honored to lead a team as talented as the Super Eagles. Nigeria has a rich football history, and I am determined to work hard with the players, staff, and federation to bring success to the nation.” Chelle’s first major task will be to prepare the Super Eagles for the next set of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Match Days 5 and 6, slated for March 2025.

SUPER EAGLES GOALKEEPER STANLEY NWABALI LOSES MUM JUST A MONTH AFTER FATHER’S DEMISE

Tragedy has struck again for Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who has lost his mother just a month after the passing of his father. The 28-year-old confirmed the sad news on his X account, saying, “It’s a situation that has left me helpless.” This devastating loss comes after Nwabali announced the death of his father on November 15, 2024. He had played in a 1-1 draw with Benin before being excused to bury his dad, which saw him miss the 2-1 loss against Rwanda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Nwabali’s absence was felt by his club, Chippa United, and he is now likely to miss their next Premier Soccer League game against Royal AM on Saturday, January 11. As the club’s captain, Nwabali has been instrumental in their success, playing 12 games across all competitions this season. Rumors have been circulating about a possible move to Kaizer Chiefs, with speculation about a swap deal involving Fiacre Ntwari. However, Nwabali’s focus will undoubtedly be on coping with this difficult time, having lost both his parents in a short span.