By Victor Kanayo
New Super Eagles Coach Bruno Labbadia has now known the Nigerian players to work with in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
This was as he was handed a 24-man team by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) few hours after his appointment on Tuesday.
Disclosing the players in a statement to Heritage Times HT, NFF Communications department wrote, “Captain William Ekong, wing-back Olaoluwa Aina and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi are back in the Super Eagles’ nest, for next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
“This year’s AFCON’s Man-of-the-Competition, Ekong, was discountenanced for the Matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race in June as he was recovering from injury, while Aina, Awoniyi and reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen were out injured altogether.
“There are three goalkeepers, including AFCON 2023 star, Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards.
“Bendel Insurance safe hands Amas Obasogie also returns, just as South Africa-based defender Olisa Ndah, and Taiwo Awoniyi, who has not been called since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo on Matchday 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in November last year.”
The Super Eagles go up against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday September 7, before flying to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday September 10.
“All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday 2, September,” the statement added.
Full Squad
Heritage Times HT reports that the invited goalkeepers are Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy) and Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC).
William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England) and Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England) are defenders.
The midfielders include Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England) and Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Strikers are Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy) and Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
