TWO of the 23 players initially included the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho will not be available.
The three-time African champions are scheduled to hold their second training session in Polokwane, South Africa tonight ahead of Friday’s key fixture, without three of the 23 invited players.
Injury to wing-back Felix Agu has cut the squad from 23 to 22, while Russia-based former junior international Olakunle Olusegun is yet to be issued with an entry visa into South Africa, meaning he is highly likely to also miss the encounter.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will have 20 players available for the session, with 18 players already in the team’s The Ranch Hotel base as at last night.
Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Akor Adams were expected to join the team today.
United States of America-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf is expected to land in South Africa tomorrow.
Chelle has had to rearrange the team following injuries to defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and striker Cyriel Dessers, bringing in Sanusi and Crystal Palace’s Christantus Uche.
The Matchday 9 fixture is billed for the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, kicking off at 6pm South African time (5pm Nigerian time).
21 SUPER EAGLES TO BATTLE LESOTHO IN POLOKWANE
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); 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); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)
Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)