The Nigeria Football Federation announced a provisional list of 39 players ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month, Soccernet.ng reports.
In recent months some new Nigerian stars have been doing well across the different leagues in Europe, and coach Eric Chelle decided to name those players in his list.
Meanwhile, some of the old heads like Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen and many others. Some of the new players in the provisional squad are Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, Anthony Dennis, Christantus Uche, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Igoh Ogbu, and Kayode Bankole.
Soccernet.ng takes a look at some of the new players that Eric Chelle invited to the squad.
1. Akor Adams
Adams has been knocking on the Super Eagles door for the past two years since his transfer to French ligue 1 club Gift Orban. But his performances have not been enough to warrant a shirt. The 25-year-old striker recently completed a move to Sevilla, but he is yet to make an impact due to an injury. Adams is quick, packs a shot albeit, his precision might be questioned. He also has a brilliant positioning.
2. Tolu Arokodare
Arokodare is another striker who is only just getting his breakthrough due to the high quality of strikers that Nigeria has. The Genk star is big, strong and is good with the ball on his feet. Of course, he is also great in the air. Arokodare could provide a new dynamic for Chelle due to his size. However, with the more experienced Onuachu in the squad, it might be an uphill task for him.
3. Anthony Dennis
Defensive midfielder Anthony Dennis has caught eyes with his impressive performances for Goztepe since his transfer two years ago. The 20-year-old has enjoyed an impressive rise as he has quickly grown from playing for the youth side to being a regular in the first team.
Dennis has an impressive passing range and is very combative. He has registered three assists in 20 appearances for Goztepe this season.
4. Christantus Uche
Christantus Uche has had a fairytale season. The 21-year-old midfielder joined Getafe from Primera Federacion II club Ceuta last years, and he has quickly adopted to the top flight.
With three goals and two assists in the Spanish La Liga, Uche is one of the best players in Getafe. He is very strong, has great ball sense, and is not afraid to shoot. He is a great box-to-box player and could affect the game significantly. A player like Uche would add something different to the Super Eagles squad for sure.
5.Papa Daniel Mustapha
Daniel Mustapha is another new midfielder on the block. The Niger Tornadoes is one of the standout performers in the NPFL this season. He has similar qualities as Uche. He is a box-to-box player and has great physicality as is normal with players on the home scene.
6. Ifeanyi Onyebuchi
Onyebuchi is one of the home-based stars that have made it to Chelle’s provisional squad. The 24-year-old Enugu Rangers center back has two goals to his name this season, which shows that he is not afraid to venture forward. He is also very strong, but technicality mighty be the issue.
7. Igoh Ogbu
Ogbu is one of the fast-rising Nigerian defenders as he has been consistent for Slavia Prague since his transfer two years ago. He has been a defensive stalwart, and his brilliance his clear as his value has skyrocketed from €2.5 million two years ago to €8 million.
The 25-year-old is great in the air, he’s quick and can bully attackers. With Semi Ajayi out of action, Ogbu could fancy his chances.
8. Kayode Bankole
Bankole has finally gotten his big opportunity after several snubs last year. However, his addition right now is a surprise as he has played just seven games in the Nigeria Premier Football League. Last season, the 22-year-old Remo Stars shot-stopper was one of the best in Nigeria, but he has been displaced by Adebiyi Marcel Serge Obassa this season. Nonetheless, he will hope to break into the Super Eagles sqaud with the absence of Maduka Okoye.
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