Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for this month’s crucial World Cup qualifying play-off, with goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and winger Chidera Ejuke making long-awaited returns to the national team.
In defence, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chidozie Awaziem and Semi Ajayi were all named.
Osayi-Samuel returns after recovering from a muscle injury that sidelined him during the last international window.
The Birmingham City full-back has regained full fitness, featuring in recent Championship fixtures and offering Nigeria added stability down the right flank.
Ajayi, however, remains suspended for the semi-final against Gabon after picking up two yellow cards during the group stage against Lesotho and Benin but was still called up to the squad.
Nantes defender Awaziem also returns after missing recent windows, while captain William Troost-Ekong and Fulham’s Calvin Bassey maintain their places.
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf and Alex Iwobi retain their positions, joined by Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, who returns after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The 24-year-old featured for Brugge in their 2-1 win over Dender and impressed against Barcelona in a six-goal thriller that earned him a standing ovation. His return offers Nigeria a technically sound and defensively assured option in midfield, particularly with Christantus Uche and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru unavailable as backup options.
Ejuke’s inclusion marks his first return to the national team since October 2024. The Sevilla winger last played for the Super Eagles in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea-Bissau.
Since then, he has rebuilt his career in Spain, registering one assist in eight La Liga appearances for Sevilla this season.
His creativity and dribbling could add dynamism to Nigeria’s attack, which will again be led by Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.
The attack also includes current African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and Olusegun Olakunle, providing depth across wide and central areas.
The Super Eagles will begin training camp in Abuja next week before traveling for the first leg of the play-off.
