By Francis Ajuonuma
Defender Jamilu Collins and forward Sadiq Umar have made a return to the Super Eagles squad after a long lay-off due to injury.
The two players and first-time call-up, Nathan Tella of Bayer Leverkusen of Germany are among the 23 players invited by head coach, Jose Santos Peseiro to prosecute this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi made the list as well.
There are also goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.
The Super Eagles kick-start their race to the huge house party in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada in 2026 with a session against the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo next week Thursday, and then fly to Rwanda for a clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Monday, 20th November.
The 20,000-capacity Huye Stadium, located in the city of Butare which is 135 kilometres south of the Rwandan capital, Kigali, has an artificial turf.
Zimbabwe has adopted Rwanda as home for the qualifiers as no stadium in the southern African nation has been deemed fit to host the FIFA World Cup qualifying games.
Others invited for both matches include, Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Joe Ayodele-Aribo
