Because the clock ticks towards 13 November, the Super Eagles stand getting ready to their greatest footballing examination in two years, a 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off towards Gabon in Morocco, with a possible showdown looming towards both DR Congo or Cameroon.
Head coach Eric Chelle is aware of there might be no room for sentiment or tactical stagnation. Nigeria should go to struggle with type, health, and fearless momentum.
With a number of senior gamers again firing in Europe, and new blood exploding into relevance, Chelle’s imminent checklist may function main returnees and breakthrough first-call candidates able to flipping Nigeria’s fortunes on the continent’s greatest qualifying stage.
Beneath, we highlight these knocking hardest on the door:
Potential returnees
PAUL ONUACHU
Few Nigerian strikers are hotter proper now, and fewer deserve a return as a lot because the maligned Onuachu in Nigeria’s colors.
After a turbulent Premier League stint at Southampton, Paul Onuachu has rediscovered his towering presence in Turkey. His everlasting change to Trabzonspor adopted a blistering mortgage spell; he has 15 objectives in 21 league matches and appears unstoppable this season.
With seven league objectives already, he at the moment leads all Nigerian scorers throughout Europe’s high flights. He’s been topped October MVP within the Turkish Tremendous Lig and claimed Purpose of the Month awards for August and September.
He final featured for Nigeria on June 6 within the 2–1 loss to Benin. Since then, silence, till now. With Victor Osimhen being the one unquestioned spearhead, Onuachu’s aerial menace and penalty-box violence may reshape Nigeria’s attacking geometry.
CHIDOZIE AWAZIEM
Semi Ajayi’s suspension for the primary leg vs Gabon re-opens the door for Chidozie Awaziem, who was final seen with Nigeria in September vs South Africa.
The Nantes defender brings one thing Chelle prizes: versatility. He can function centrally or at right-back, which is essential if Nigeria should adapt to mid-battle.
With Ajayi doubtless solely usable in a potential second-leg situation towards DR Congo or Cameroon, Awaziem’s expertise can plug defensive holes immediately.
BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL
Again, match, hungry.
The Birmingham Metropolis full-back returns from harm after lacking the final worldwide window. His membership minutes, 54 minutes vs Preston, rested vs Bristol Metropolis, late cameos vs Portsmouth and Millwall, present progressive load administration.
His pace, restoration tackling, and transitional steadiness could possibly be very important on Morocco’s extensive turf, particularly towards Gabon’s counter-attacking tempo.
RAPHAEL ONYEDIKA
An essential midfield metronome returns.
The Membership Brugge star is again after a hamstring harm sustained throughout September’s Champions League conflict towards Monaco. Earlier than his spell on the sidelines, the 24-year-old was one in all Brugge’s most constant performers.
He featured for 27 minutes in Brugge’s current 2-1 win over FCV Dender EH, and 84 minutes towards Barcelona within the Champions League, confirming his restoration.
Nigeria desperately wants its ball development, press resistance, and disciplined defensive screenings. Onyedika delivers all three.
With doubts round Christantus Uche and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, his recall may stabilise the heartbeat of the midfield.
MADUKA OKOYE
No identify has divided public opinion fairly like Maduka Okoye. Absent from each worldwide window since June, the Udinese shot-stopper is strongly tipped for a long-awaited return, doubtless on the expense of Adebayo Adeleye or Amas Obasogie.
As soon as thought of Nigeria’s future between the posts, Okoye’s profession dipped throughout a tough spell in Italy. The low level: a 61-day suspension in July over alleged match-manipulation in a sport towards Lazio. Whereas cleared of intent, he was judged to have violated skilled requirements, lacking six matches.
However the response? Pure redemption.
Okoye has roared again, re-cementing himself as Udinese’s No. 1. He produced a standout efficiency final weekend to finish Atalanta’s unbeaten run and has now conceded six objectives in 4 matches, saving 12 of 18 photographs confronted and conserving one clear sheet.
With public doubt surrounding Stanley Nwabali, requires Okoye’s reinstatement are louder than ever. His final squad look was June 6 vs. Russia; he didn’t play, however this appears like his second.
First-Time Name-Up Candidate
EBENEZER AKINSANMIRO
Name it the whisper that’s turning into a roar.
On mortgage from Inter Milan at Serie A aspect Pisa, the ex-Past Limits soccer academy star is one in all Nigeria’s most enjoyable new midfield architects. Nicknamed the “Caicedo of Serie A”, he has mixed: composure, duel dominance, transitional pace, and vertical passing.
The 20-year-old has already earned a Man of the Match award towards Fiorentina and registered his first help vs AC Milan. Final weekend, he bossed Torino, profitable 8 of 9 duels and rattling the submit with a strike that deserved a objective.
Chelle has reportedly watched a number of matches of his reside.
Given Nigeria’s creativity disaster in current video games, Akinsanmiro will be the antidote towards low blocks like Gabon’s.
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Why this issues
Nigeria faces Gabon’s vertical transitions, DR Congo’s physicality, and Cameroon’s relentlessness. All three nations have derailed World Cup desires earlier than.
To outlive, Nigeria should mix: type gamers, returning management, and fearless new vitality to outlive.
This isn’t simply squad constructing; it’s identification renewal.
A renewed look forward
Eric Chelle’s pending roster will doubtless mix: rejuvenated veterans like Okoye & Onuachu, with new-generation disruptors like Akinsanmiro additionally having a shoo-in as properly.
In a qualifying format this unforgiving, those that step ahead now will decide whether or not Nigeria returns to the worldwide stage, or watches from residence once more.
The highlight is brutal, the stakes are sky-high, and the margin is razor-thin. FIFA World Cup awaits, Africa watches, and the Tremendous Eagles should not blink.
