By Victor Kanayo
Finidi George has made his first selection since he was announced Nigeria’s Super Eagles substantive head coach.
The coach who has selected 23 players, revealed via a statement by the Nigeria Footbal.
l Federation (NFF) on Friday evening named rave-of-the-moment Ademola Lookman, African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and safe hands Stanley Nwabali among the top shots.
The country’s senior national team will battle South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
George also selected goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, England-based defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.
Remo Stars’ hard-as-nails defender Sadiq Ismael is called for the first time, with Turkey-based midfielder Fisayo Bashiru, Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s Nathan Tella and lanky forward Paul Onuachu also called.
Nigeria confront South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 7th June, starting from 8pm, and then fly to Abidjan to tackle Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Monday, 10th June, starting from 4pm CIV time (5pm Nigeria time).
Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy) and Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC) are other goalkeepers in the squad.
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The defenders are 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) and Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania).
The midfielders are 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) and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey).
While the other forwards include Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) and Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France).
2026 World Cup Qualifiers: New Nigeria’s Coach Unleash First Squad Against South Africa, Benin
