Super Eagles' head coach, Eric Chelle, has selected a final squad of 23 players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

As per OwnGoalNigeria.com, these matches will mark Chelle’s first competitive games in charge of the Super Eagles. 

After initially sending out provisional invitations to about 35 players, Chelle has now trimmed the list to the final 23, with just two weeks remaining before Nigeria faces Rwanda in Kigali.  

Sources within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have confirmed that all invited players have received their flight tickets and travel arrangements.

The squad is expected to fly directly to Kigali, where they will set up camp ahead of the crucial encounter.  

An NFF official explained that the decision to fly directly to Rwanda is aimed at ensuring the players have at least three full training sessions with Chelle before the game.  

The players are expected to report to camp on March 17, giving the team four days to prepare for the opening fixture against current group leaders, Rwanda, on March 21. 

After the clash in Kigali, the team will return to Nigeria for their second qualifier against Zimbabwe, scheduled for March 25 in Uyo.  

These back-to-back fixtures are considered crucial to Nigeria’s hopes of securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup.