Okoye Maduka returns as Chelle names squad for World Cup play-offs

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament in Rabat, Morocco — with the major talking point being the return of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a long absence from international duty. His recall comes amid growing calls for current first-choice Stanley Nwabali to […]

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament in Rabat, Morocco — with the major talking point being the return of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a long absence from international duty.

His recall comes amid growing calls for current first-choice Stanley Nwabali to be dropped following a dip in form.

Chelle’s list includes captain William Troost-Ekong, talismanic striker Victor Osimhen, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, and midfield stalwarts Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi, who boasts 89 caps.

Forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, and Spain-based Chidera Ejuke also feature, alongside newcomers Benjamin Fredericks, Raphael Onyedika, Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olusegun Olakunle.

Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final on 22 November at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, while Cameroon meets DR Congo in the second semi-final at El-Barid Stadium.

The squad will assemble in Morocco on 10 November, arriving from their various club bases across Europe and beyond.

Okoye’s return marks a significant moment for the 25-year-old, who made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2019 and was the country’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Following a costly mistake in the Round-of-16 loss to Tunisia, he faced intense criticism and quietly stepped away from the national team. For nearly two years, he was overlooked as Nwabali took over the gloves.

Now thriving at Udinese Calcio in Italy’s Serie A, Okoye’s resurgence has earned him a recall from Chelle — a move viewed as both a reward for his form and a challenge to Nwabali’s hold on the No. 1 spot.

His comeback also follows a brief two-month suspension in Italy earlier this year for breaching betting regulations, though he was cleared of any match-fixing allegations.

As the Super Eagles prepare for Morocco, attention will focus squarely on the goalkeeping battle.

Okoye’s return has reignited competition for Nigeria’s most scrutinized position — and could redefine the team’s path to the 2026 World Cup.

Below is the full list of players invited:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy)

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); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); 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); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

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