Key Players Osimhen and Ndidi Absent as NFF Reveals Squad for Nigeria's World Cup Qualifiers

Injury Sidelines Victor Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi from NFF's Unveiled Squad List for Nigeria's World Cup Qualifiers

The eagerly awaited squad list for Nigeria's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe's Harambe Stars and Lesotho's Crocodiles has been unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Unfortunately, the Super Eagles will have to navigate these crucial matches without the services of key players Victor Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi.

It's been that Napoli's prolific striker, Osimhen, sustained an injury during Nigeria's friendly against Saudi Arabia, rendering him unavailable for selection. 

Similarly, Leicester City's midfield maestro, Ndidi, will be sidelined due to injury concerns.

In addition to Osimhen and Ndidi, the absence of AC Milan's recent acquisition, Samuel Chukwueze, is notable on the squad list. 

Despite being under scrutiny, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has secured his place in the roster.

The Super Eagles are gearing up to face Lesotho's Crocodiles at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on November 16, followed by a clash with Zimbabwe on the 19th of the same month.

Group C of the qualification series features Nigeria alongside South Africa, Rwanda, Benin, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. The upcoming fixtures are crucial steps in the Super Eagles' quest to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

See the full list of invited players... 

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales)

Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)