BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Nigeria’s hopes of reigniting their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign havereceived a major boost with the return of star striker Victor Osimhen, who headlines the 23-man squad named by Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle for this month’s crucial double-header against Lesotho and Benin Republic.

Osimhen, who missed the match against South Africa through injury, is back to lead the attack as Nigeria seeks to climb from third place in Group C, trailing leaders Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa by just three points.

The former African Footballer of the Year, now playing for Galatasaray FC in Turkey, is expected to bring firepower and leadership to a forward line that struggled for precision in his absence.

His return comes at a critical juncture for the Super Eagles, who must take maximum points from the upcoming fixtures to revive their qualification chances.

In the last eight World Cup qualifying matches, he played just three against Rwanda, twice and Zimbabwe once.

It is expected that Osimhen’s inclusion, alongside other experienced campaigners, will make a difference.

Also back in the squad are defender Semi Ajayi, who returns from injury, and France-based striker Terem Moffi, while Russia-based winger Olakunle Olusegunis recalled after a spell out.

The team retains a solid core with William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Bright Osayi-Samuel in defence; Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi anchoring the midfield; and Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and Moses Simon offering attacking width.

Fixtures and Build-Up

Nigeria will face the Likuena (Crocodiles) of Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, on Friday, 10 October, before returning home to Uyo for a fiery Matchday 10 clash against table-toppers Benin Republic on Tuesday, 14 October.

Players are expected to converge in Polokwane from their clubs across Europe and beyond on Monday, 6 October, to begin preparations.

Full Squad

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); Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium).

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey).

Forwards: Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos, Greece); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).

With Osimhen’s return injecting renewed confidence into the squad, the Super Eagles will be aiming to rediscover their winning rhythm and reassert their dominance in the qualification race for North America 2026.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA

The recent FIFA ruling that docked South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player has blown Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers wide open — and with it, handed Nigeria’s Super Eagles a glimmer of hope in their quest to reach the tournament in North America.

Yet, while the decision may favour Nigeria on the standings, it also serves as a sobering reminder of past missteps — both by the Super Eagles and Nigerian clubs — that underscore the grave cost of administrative and technical lapses in player eligibility.

History Repeats Itself

Long before the current episode, Nigerian teams have found themselves on the wrong side of similar rulings.
In 1984, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) reached the final of the Africa Cup of Champions Clubs — now the CAF Champions League — only to be rocked by a last-minute eligibility crisis.

Just before kick-off of the second leg against Egypt’s Zamalek, the Ibadan-based side was informed that their influential left-back, Felix Owolabi, had accumulated two yellow cards and was ineligible to play.

The news disorganized the team and shattered morale. Shooting Stars went on to lose 2–0 in Cairo and 3–0 on aggregate, missing what would have been Nigeria’s first continental Champions Cup club triumph.

Fast forward to 2018 — another painful lesson. During the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers, FIFA ruled that Nigeria had fielded Shehu Abdullahi, who should have been serving a suspension after two prior cautions.

The match in question, a 1–1 draw against Algeria, was forfeited. FIFA awarded Algeria a 3–0 victory and fined the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Although the sanction did not affect Nigeria’s qualification — as the Super Eagles had already secured their ticket — it exposed administrative negligence that could have been costly.

The Caution List: A Ticking Time Bomb

Now, as Nigeria prepare for the final stretch of the 2026 World Cup qualifying series, history offers a warning. Twelve Super Eagles players are walking a disciplinary tightrope — all sitting on one yellow card.

Any second booking will automatically rule them out of the final matchday fixture against Benin Republic in Uyo.

Those on the caution list include:

1. Semi Ajayi – booked vs Lesotho (16 Nov 2023)
2. Calvin Bassey – booked vs Zimbabwe (19 Nov 2023)
3. Jamilu Collins – booked vs Zimbabwe (19 Nov 2023)
4. Umar Sadiq – booked vs Zimbabwe (19 Nov 2023)
5. Bright Osayi-Samuel – booked vs South Africa (7 Jun 2024)
6. Sodiq Ismaila – booked vs Benin (10 Jun 2024)
7. Wilfred Ndidi – booked vs Rwanda (21 Mar 2025)
8. Alex Iwobi – booked vs Rwanda (21 Mar 2025)
9. Tolu Arokodare – booked vs Rwanda (21 Mar 2025)
10. Stanley Nwabali – booked vs Rwanda (6 Sept 2025)
11. Ademola Lookman – booked vs South Africa (9 Sept 2025)
12. Bruno Onyemaechi – booked vs South Africa (9 Sept 2025)

With the group now delicately poised following South Africa’s three-point deduction, Nigeria cannot afford any further slip-ups — either on the field or in the boardroom.

A Chance for Redemption

The sanction on South Africa has effectively reopened Nigeria’s route to qualification. But if the Super Eagles are to seize this opportunity, the technical crew and NFF must stay vigilant. Player discipline and accurate record-keeping have become as vital as goals scored.

In modern football, the thin line between triumph and heartbreak can be drawn by a yellow card — or a forgotten suspension.

As the Super Eagles regroup for their last two qualifiers, the echoes of 1984 and 2018 serve as a timely caution: FIFA’s rulebook spares no one.

This time, Nigeria cannot afford to learn the hard way.

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Nigeria’s quest for World Cup qualification has received a major boost following the return to action of talismanic forward Victor Osimhen, who marked his comeback with a crucial goal for Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League.

Osimhen, who had been sidelined after sustaining an injury in Nigeria’s qualifier against Rwanda earlier this month, announced his full recovery in style on Tuesday night as he netted from the penalty spot to hand Galatasaray a 1–0 victory over Liverpool in Istanbul.

“You are welcome back, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah seems to be telling Osimhen after the match REUTERS/Murad Sezer

The Nigerian striker, wearing his trademark protective mask, calmly converted from 12 yards in the 16th minute after Baris Alper Yilmaz was struck in the face by Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai.

The goal proved decisive as Galatasaray handed Liverpool their first defeat in the group stage.

While Osimhen’s return is welcome news for Nigeria ahead of next month’s qualifying fixtures, it was a night to forget for Liverpool, who not only suffered defeat but also lost goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Hugo Ekitike to injuries.

Victor Osimhen and Liverpool manager Arne Slot REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Manager Arne Slot confirmed after the match that Alisson would miss Saturday’s Premier League clash at Chelsea.
“It’s never positive if you go off like this. You can be sure he’s not playing on Saturday, and we’ll have to wait to see how long it takes,” Slot told reporters.

For Nigeria, Osimhen’s return to full fitness comes as a timely lift as the Super Eagles look to consolidate their position in the World Cup qualifying race.

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