Nigeria’s Super Eagles will head into their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Rwanda next month without five key squad members.
The team will face Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on September 6 before traveling to the Free State Stadium to take on South Africa on September 9 in the Matchday 8 fixture.
Currently, South Africa lead Group C with 13 points from six games, while Nigeria sit fourth with seven points.
Reports suggest Bafana Bafana could face a potential points deduction after allegedly fielding an ineligible player during the qualifiers, though a verdict is still pending.
Manager Eric Chelle has already begun preparations for the crucial fixtures, reportedly deciding to exclude Victor Boniface, Maduka Okoye, Kelechi Iheanacho, Joe Aribo, and Semi Ajayi from the squad.
Boniface is said to have fallen out of favour with Chelle, while Okoye faces complications related to ongoing betting allegations in Italy.
Iheanacho and Aribo, who are navigating uncertain futures at Sevilla and Southampton respectively, are also unlikely to be called up. Ajayi, meanwhile, will miss out due to a hamstring injury expected to sideline him for up to six weeks.
Nigeria will now focus on regrouping and strategizing ahead of their back-to-back qualifiers as they aim to climb the Group C standings.
