Nigeria’s Head Coach, Finidi George, has named his 23-man squad for vital games against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

The Super Eagles coach has handed Remo Stars’ right-back, Sodiq Ismail, his first national team call-up. Ismail, a dogged and attack-minded Nigeria Premier Football League defender, has a knack for delivering sublime crosses, which has seen him register 12 assists in 30 games for Remo Stars in the NPFL this season.

Also in defence, George selected England-based defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, and former Bendel Insurance player, Benjamin Tanimu. Between the sticks, George named AFCON superstar, Stanley Nwabali, as well as Ojo Olorunleke and Maduka Okoye, who comes into the squad ahead of Francis Uzoho.

Wilfred Ndidi returns to competitive national duty after being sidelined in the AFCON due to injury, alongside Alhassan Yusuf, who played in his stead and showed promise in his debut game against Equatorial Guinea.

The phenomenal Ademola Lookman was called up alongside Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and teammate Nathan Tella.

Nigeria will face South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, June 7, at 8 pm, and then fly to Abidjan to trade tackles with Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Monday, June 10, at 4 pm CIV time (5 pm Nigeria time).

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)