In a surprise move, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has dropped Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho from his final 23-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The Omitted Players

Musa, Nigeria’s most-capped player, and Iheanacho, a former Manchester City forward, were both included in Chelle’s initial 39-man provisional squad. However, their exclusion from the final squad has sparked debate among Nigerian football fans.

The Final 23-Man Squad

The final squad includes:

• Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali and Kayode Bankole
• Defenders: William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina
• Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Raphael Onyedika
• Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Simon Moses

Upcoming Matches

Nigeria will face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 and host Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25. The Super Eagles are currently fifth in Group C, behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho.

World Cup Hopes

With two crucial matches ahead, the Super Eagles need to win both to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Coach Chelle will be counting on his selected squad to deliver the much-needed victories.

Reactions and Analysis

Football analysts and fans have taken to social media to express their opinions on the squad selection. While some applaud Chelle’s decision to drop Musa and Iheanacho, others feel that the experienced duo could have added value to the team.

Conclusion

As the Super Eagles prepare to face Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Coach Chelle’s squad selection has added an extra layer of intrigue to the matches. Will the selected players rise to the occasion and secure the much-needed wins? Only time will tell.