In-form Bayer Leverkusen forward, Nathan Tella, former captain, Ahmed Musa, Gabriel Osho of France’s Auxerre and Kelechi Iheanacho, who now plays for Middlesbrough in the English second-tier league, are among 39 players listed in Coach Eric Sekou Chelle’s provisional squad for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
In the list released, yesterday, by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa, Tella, and Osho are returning to the squad after missing the last couple of games, but Iheanacho is the unexpected name on the list as he has been off form and has played just a couple of games after failing to make the grade at Sevilla.

The NFF said, yesterday, that the list would be reduced to 23 players before tickets are sent to the chosen ones to fly directly to Kigali, Rwanda for the Eagles’ first game against Rwanda in the March World Cup qualifying round.

The team comprises five goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 10 midfielders and 15 forwards. As expected, goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses are all in the squad.

There are also goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.

Players making their first entry into the squad are defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams. At the same time, there could be returns for home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and forward, Cyriel Dessers if they eventually make the final list of 23.
https://guardian.ng/sport/musa-tella-iheanacho-make-super-eagles-39-man-provisional-squad/