2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Still no place for Iheanacho in Chelle’s 23-man team Lesotho, Benin battles
Super Eagles’ Head Coach Eric Chelle has once again snubbed Celtic of Scotland striker, Kelechi Iheanacho from the list of 23 players he has invited for the final two World Cup qualifying games against Lesotho and Benin Republic later this month.
Iheanacho has not been called up for the World Cup qualifying campaign since June 2024 when he started in the 1-1 draw with South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo and sat on the bench as an unused substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
The 29-year-old has scored twice and bagged an assist in the five games he has played this season since he moved on a free transfer from LaLiga side, Seville.
Instead, Chelle, under pressure to deliver the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket, has drafted team captain William Ekong, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses in his list of 23 players for must-win games.
Also listed is defender Semi Ajayi, who missed the last two matches in the September window due to injury, returns to the group, as do France-based Terem Moffi and former junior international Olakunle Olusegun, who plays his club football in Russia.
Nigeria, now in third place and only three points off first-placed Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa, tackle the Likuena (Crocodiles) of Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa on Friday, 10th October in a Matchday 9 encounter, before flying from South Africa to Uyo to battle leaders Benin Republic in a fiery final Matchday game on Tuesday, 14th October.
The players are scheduled to fly into South Africa from their different bases in Europe and elsewhere, to converge in Polokwane on Monday, 6th October.
23 Eagles to battle Lesotho and Benin
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)
