Eric Sekou Chelle, the Super Eagles‘ head coach, is preparing for the team’s second training session on Wednesday in Polokwane as they gear up for a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho’s Crocodiles this Friday. A squad of 20 players will undergo intensive preparations ahead of this important fixture.
By Tuesday night, 18 players had already arrived at The Ranch Hotel in South Africa. Defender Zaidu Sanusi, who plies his trade in Portugal, and forward Jerome Akor Adams, currently playing in Spain, are expected to join the camp on Wednesday. Meanwhile, midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, based in the United States, is scheduled to arrive by Thursday.
In response to injuries sustained by defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and striker Cyriel Dessers, Coach Chelle has adjusted the squad, bringing in Sanusi and Crystal Palace’s Christantus Uche to bolster the team’s options. The roster was further trimmed from 23 to 22 players after wing-back Felix Agu suffered an injury.
Adding to the challenges, former youth international Olakunle Olusegun, who plays in Russia, is still awaiting visa approval to enter South Africa. This delay may compel the Eagles to face Lesotho with a reduced squad of just 21 players.
The eagerly awaited Matchday 9 encounter will be held at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, October 10, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 PM local time (5:00 PM Nigerian time).
Below is the finalized squad list for the upcoming clash against Lesotho:
Goalkeepers:
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
– Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
– Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders:
– William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia)
– Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
– Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England)
– Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
– Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece)
– Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders:
– Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
– Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
– Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA)
– Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey)
– Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)
Forwards:
– Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy)
– Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England)
– Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
– Simon Moses (Paris FC, France)
– Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)
– Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
– Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)