Nigeria Names Squad For World Cup Qualifiers Against Zimbabwe & Rwanda With Notable Recalls

Bayer Leverkusen sensation Nathan Tella and team captain Ahmed Musa have received a well-deserved call-up to the Nigeria national team as they prepare for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.

The Nigeria Football Federation has released a provisional 39-man squad for the crucial matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, with the duo earning a recall after being left out in recent times.

Tella, in outstanding form for the reigning German champions, is anticipated to enhance the attacking prowess of the three-time African champions as they strive to reignite their World Cup aspirations.

Also returning to the national team are Rangers’ prolific striker Cyriel Dessers, Gent defender Jordan Torunarigha, Sevilla’s Chidera Ejuke, and goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo.

Reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman joins a star-studded lineup that includes Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, William Troost-Ekong, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Victor Boniface in the national team selection.

In the goalkeeping department, Eric Chelle anticipates strong competition for a starting spot between CAF Awards nominee Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Kayode Bankole, and Tanzania-based Anas Obasogie.

Due to their outstanding performances in the Nigeria Professional Football League, Niger Tornadoes midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha and Rangers International’s Ifeanyi Onyebuchi have received their first call-up to the senior national team.

Additionally, Anthony Dennis of Goztepe and Tolu Arokodare are also looking to secure their inaugural caps with the three-time African champions.

Nigeria will face Rwanda away on March 16 before hosting the Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium seven days later.

After four matches, the 2013 African champions sit in fifth place with just three points, four points behind leaders Rwanda, with six games left to play in the qualifying series.

After missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to a playoff loss against perennial rivals Ghana, the Nigerian team is focused on making a comeback to the global stage.

The squad is determined to surpass their previous round-of-16 finishes in the tournaments held in the USA in ’94, France in ’98, and Brazil in 2014.