Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has dropped a bombshell by excluding captain Ahmed Musa and forward Kelechi Iheanacho from his final 23-man roster for the pivotal 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The announcement comes as Chelle prepares to take charge of the team for the first time since assuming the role in January.

Musa’s inclusion in the initial 39-man provisional squad had raised eyebrows among fans, given his nearly year-long absence from the national team. However, the Malian tactician opted to leave the Kano Pillars star out of the final selection, alongside Middlesbrough’s Iheanacho. Both players were part of Nigeria’s silver-medal-winning squad at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year, though Musa didn’t see a single minute of action, while Iheanacho played a supporting role.

The final squad, revealed on Tuesday, features familiar names such as Alex Iwobi, William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Simon Moses, and Stanley Nwabali. Mainstays like Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, and Wilfred Ndidi also made the cut. Meanwhile, Nathan Tella and Joe Aribo mark their return to the fold after extended absences.

Chelle has also rolled the dice with fresh faces, handing debut call-ups to Tolu Arokodare, Igoh Ogbu, and Papa Mustapha for the upcoming fixtures. The Super Eagles will face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium four days later.

These matches represent a critical test for Chelle, who inherits a Nigerian side struggling to find its footing in the World Cup qualifying campaign. The 1980 AFCON champions have limped to just three points all from draws in their first four outings, leaving them four points adrift of Group C leaders Rwanda. With Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 tournament hanging in the balance, Chelle faces an uphill battle to turn the tide.