Captain William Ekong, ace forward Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey have been included in Nigeria’s 24-man list for next week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament in Rabat, Morocco.
Head Coach Eric Chelle also included Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi, Benjamin Fredericks, Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman.
Nigeria will take on Gabon in the first semi-final scheduled for the 22,000 – capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, with Cameroon confronting the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other semi-final at the 18,000 – capacity El-Barid Stadium, also in Rabat.
Chelle has also recalled goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Spain-based forward Chidera Ejuke, with midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams and Olusegun Olakunle also on the roster.
Defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, suspended for one game after accumulating two yellow cards in the 10-match qualifying campaign, will miss the clash with the Panthers on Thursday.
The players are scheduled to fly into Morocco from their different bases in Europe and elsewhere, to converge in Rabat on Monday, 10th November.
2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs: Chelle names Ekong, Osimhen, Moses, 21 others for Gabon
*Camp opens in Morocco Nov 10
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