Okoye Returns As Super Eagles Announce Squad For World Cup Playoffs

Nigeria has named its 24-man squad for the 2026 World Cup playoff clash against Gabon, with goalkeeper Maduka Okoye making a long-awaited return to the team.

The Udinese shot-stopper last featured for the Super Eagles in 2022 and is back in the lineup as Nigeria looks to secure qualification in Rabat, Morocco.

Also returning to the fold is Sevilla forward Chidera Ejuke, who has been out of national team action for an extended period. Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge is another notable inclusion in the squad released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday.

Full 24-Man Squad

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)

Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolves, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).

The Super Eagles will face the Panthers of Gabon in the semi-final of the World Cup playoff tournament on Thursday, November 13, at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat.

Also read: Akpoborie Slams NFF Over Delayed Super Eagles Squad List

The four-nation event will also feature Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with only one team earning qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.