Veteran forward Ahmed Musa has been named in the Super Eagles’ provisional squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The 32-year-old, who has not featured for the national team in almost a year, is among the 39 players invited by head coach Eric Chelle.
Musa, Nigeria’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup and team captain, was part of the squad that secured a silver medal at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but did not play any matches during the tournament. Now, he is set to return as the Super Eagles aim to revive their World Cup qualification hopes.
The squad includes key players from the AFCON campaign, such as reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, William Troost-Ekong, and Wilfred Ndidi. Additionally, Chelle has extended invitations to several Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) stars, including Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), and Papa Daniel Mustapha (formerly of Niger Tornadoes), highlighting his intent to integrate home-based talent into the team.
Long-term absentees like Joe Aribo, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, and Jordan Torunarigha have also been recalled for the doubleheader against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Nigeria currently sits fourth in Group C of the African World Cup qualifiers, with just three points from four matches. Rwanda leads the group with seven points, followed closely by South Africa, who have the same tally but an inferior goal difference. The Super Eagles will face Rwanda on March 21, followed by Zimbabwe on March 25, as they fight to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The final squad will be trimmed to 23 players ahead of the matches.
