World Cup Qualifiers: Osimhen Missing As Peseiro Names 23 Players for Lesotho, Zimbabwe Fixtures

• Jose Peseiro has named his squad for the forthcoming matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe
• Nigeria will quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup versus the Crocodiles and the Warriors
• Victor Osimhen did not make the list due to injury while Nathan Tella earned his first-ever call-up

Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has named his 23-man squad for the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Among the players he has invited are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, midfielder Alex Iwobi, and strikers Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Captain, Ahmed Musa and Napoli forwards, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze did not make the list as they are recovering from their injuries.

Returning to the squad is defender Jamilu Collins, while Bayer Leverkusen forward, Nathan Tella earned his first-ever call-up to the Super Eagles. Spain-based striker, Sadiq Umar also makes a return after a long absence.

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Nigeria begin their quest to qualify for the global showpiece against the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on November 16, before flying to Rwanda for a clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on November 20, ThisDay reports.

Full list of invitees for Nigeria's squad

Goalkeepers:

Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC, Nigeria); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)

Defenders:

Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales).

Midfielders:

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England).

Forwards:

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).

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Peseiro speaks on accepting pay cut

Sports Brief previously reported on Peseiro explaining his accepted pay cut to continue as Super Eagles coach until the next Africa Cup of Nations.

The Portuguese manager took up the helm at the Super Eagles in May 2021 and recently signed a new contract despite his wage being slashed.

The former FC Porto coach said he has to fulfil some of the clauses the Nigerian Football Federation included in the new deal he signed this year.