Victor Osimhen, a Napoli striker, has been named to the Super Eagles squad for the September African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
Bruno Labbadia, the recently appointed German coach, will be making his debut with the games.
Taiwo Awoniyi, a Nottingham Forest striker, and William Ekong, a defender who just transferred to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kholood FC, are also returning to the team after more than six months away.
While Osimhen and Ekong were out for the first few days of the 2026 World Cup qualifying games owing to injuries, Awoniyi last played for the Eagles in November, missing the team’s second-place finish at the previous AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Meanwhile, captain Ahmed Musa was once again omitted, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his future with the team.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on September 7, followed by a game with Rwanda three days later.
View the full list.
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC).
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England).
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England).