October 03, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed its 23-player selection for the October 2025 FIFA World Cup qualifiers facing Lesotho and the Benin Republic.
These fixtures carry heightened importance for Group C, where a FIFA ruling against South Africa has dramatically transformed the qualification picture.
Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, and Adebayo Adeleye will compete for the goalkeeper position.
The defensive line features captain William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Felix Agu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredrick, Semi Ajayi, and Bruno Onyemaechi. Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, and Al-Hassan Yusuf form the midfield, while the attacking options include Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, Moses Simon, Cyriel Dessers, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Olakunle Olusegun.
FIFA penalised South Africa for fielding an ineligible player during their March meeting with Lesotho.
The governing body overturned the original result, granting Lesotho a 3-0 win, removing three points from South Africa, and fining the South African Football Association.
This decision has reshaped Group C, with Benin Republic now level on points with South Africa but ahead on goal difference, while Nigeria and Rwanda sit three points behind.
Only the group winner earns automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa’s sanctions has reignited the race, offering Nigeria a chance to move closer to the top with victories over Lesotho and the Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles know that each point collected during this international window could determine their World Cup fate.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
