Nigeria’s national football team head coach, Eric Chelle, has formally released the definitive list of 23 players selected to represent the country in the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa.
Notably, striker Victor Boniface has been omitted from the roster, the decision reportedly occasioned by unresolved concerns relating to his medical fitness and long-term durability.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward, aged 24, recently drew attention following the collapse of a proposed transfer to AC Milan, after he was unable to successfully complete mandatory medical examinations. His professional career has, in recent seasons, been intermittently interrupted by multiple cruciate ligament injuries as well as recurring muscular complications.
Although Boniface resumed training with his club on Wednesday and was widely anticipated to partner with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in leading Nigeria’s attack, Coach Chelle has elected instead to rely upon Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, and Samuel Chukwueze as alternative offensive options for the qualifying fixtures.
In a development more favorable to the Super Eagles, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been certified medically fit and is duly included in the final squad list.
The Chippa United shot-stopper, aged 29, had raised considerable concern after being stretchered off during a domestic league encounter against Richards Bay on Tuesday, thereby casting doubt upon his availability for Nigeria’s forthcoming September fixtures. Subsequent medical evaluations, however, have conclusively affirmed his fitness to resume active duty.
This outcome provides significant relief to Coach Chelle and the technical crew, who otherwise would have been constrained to depend upon relatively less experienced alternatives in Adeleye Adebayo and Amas Obasogie for goalkeeping responsibilities in matches of considerable competitive importance.#newsafro_
