W’Cup Qualifiers: Nwabali stays, Boniface out of final Chelle squad

Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his 23-man squad for next month’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, with striker Victor Boniface left out amid ongoing concerns over his fitness

The Bayer Leverkusen forward, who endured a collapsed move to AC Milan earlier this month after failing a series of medical checks, is the most notable absentee from the squad.

His omission follows months of speculation about his long-term durability, after multiple cruciate ligament injuries and recurring muscular problems limited his playing time in recent seasons.

Boniface, 24, returned to Leverkusen training on Wednesday and had been expected to spearhead Nigeria’s attack alongside Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, but his exclusion leaves Chelle with Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare and Samuel Chukwueze as alternative forward options.

In more positive news for the Super Eagles, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been declared fit and makes the final cut.

The Chippa United shot-stopper was stretchered off during a South African league game against Richards Bay on Tuesday, prompting fears he could miss Nigeria’s September qualifiers.

Medical tests have since cleared the 29-year-old to return, easing concerns for Chelle, who would otherwise have been forced to rely on relatively inexperienced goalkeepers Adeleye Adebayo and Amas Obasogie.

Nwabali has been Nigeria’s number one since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he impressed with a string of commanding displays.

Nigeria face the Amavubi of Rwanda in Uyo on September 6 before travelling to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana three days later. With only seven points from six matches, the Super Eagles sit fourth in Group C, six points behind the South Africans.

Failure to secure maximum points from the double-header could leave Nigeria facing elimination before the final qualifying round in October.

The squad is anchored by captain William Troost-Ekong, while established stars such as Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Lookman and Osimhen all feature. There is also a return for defender Felix Agu, alongside Unity Cup revelations Benjamin Fredericks and Christantus Uche.