Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle announced his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers today, and it has generated controversy amongst football fans in Nigerian.
Some of the major stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Stanley Nwabali, and Calvin Bassey made the cut. Then, there are new invitees like Akor Adams and Olakunle Olusegun.
Eric Chelle has unveiled his 23-man list for October’s #FIFAWCQ vs Lesotho & Benin .
Captain William Troost-Ekong leads the team
Semi Ajayi, Terem Moffi, Alhassan Yusuf & Olakunle Olusegun return
Akor… pic.twitter.com/QPuM9QJQPX— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 3, 2025
However, there are some players, who have been doing well at their clubs in Europe, and probabaly deserve a play in Chelle’s squad.
In this piece, Soccernet.ng names four players who deserved to make the cut for the 23-man squads to take on Lesotho and Benin next week.
1. Paul Onuachu
The 30-year-old striker will probably be wondering what he has to do to return to the Super Eagles fold.
Onauchu has contributed five goals in his last seven appearances for Trabzonspor this season. He is coming off an impressive brace against Karagumruk in the Super Lig.
Players like Cyriel Dessers and Akor Adams who are in the squad, have not been as good as Onuachu this season. So, he definitely deserves a spot on the team.
2. Rafiu Durosinmi
Rafiu Durosinmi has been on fire for Czech club Viktoria Plzen this season. He has registered eight goals in 16 appearances across all competitions.
But his brilliance didn’t just start this season, he has been playing some impressive football for about two years.
Durosinmi would definitely add something new to the Super Eagles attack with his fiery and combative style of play.
3. Zaidu Sanusi
The Porto man seems to be returning to his best. After the Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles last year, he had a spate of injuries which kept him out of action for months.
But Sanusi is now getting more minutes at Porto. He seems to have won the trust of Francesco Farioli and might play an important role for them moving forward.
With his level of experience and form, he would surely provide a solid competition for Bruno Onyemaechi, who has struggled to get minutes at Olympiakos.
4. Anthony Dennis
Eric Chelle called up just four midfielders, which is a risky move. And while it can be blamed on injuries to Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Anthony Dennis could have been a good option.
He has been an important player for them in their unbeaten run in the Turkish Super Lig. Last summer, he was linked with bigger clubs across Europe, but he didn’t get his move.
With Ndidi closing in on the twilight of his career and Onyedika out injured, 21-year-old Dennis would have been a nice option to add in the muddle of the park for the Super Eagles.