Peseiro Invites Tella, Awoniyi For Lesotho, Zimbabwe Clashes

Last updated Nov 10, 2023

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has released his 23-man squad for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, handing a debut invitation to Bayer Leverkusen striker Nathan Tella.

The 24-year-old’s invitation comes in place for a number of missing attackers in the team with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and AC Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze out just as Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi is also out due to injury.

Cyprus-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is joined by Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Enyimba’s Ojo Olorunleke while invited defenders include Kenneth Omeruo Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Cardiff City’s Jamilu Collins makes a return after a long lay-off due to injury while Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey are also invited.

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There are only four midfielders in the squad which are Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Joe Ayodele-Aribo, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika.

Nantes forward, Moses Simon, Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi are among the forwards invited.

Others are in-form Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, Terem Moffi, Ademola Lookman while Real Sociedad’s Sadiq Umar makes the initial list unlike the last time out when he was handed a late call up for the friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.

After missing out on the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Super Eagles kick-start their race to USA/Mexico/Canada 2026 with the clash against Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo next week Thursday, and then fly to Rwanda for a clash with Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare, Rwanda on Monday, November 20.

Zimbabwe has adopted Rwanda as home for the qualifiers as no stadium in the southern African nation has been deemed fit to host the FIFA World Cup qualifying games.