Chelle Names 23-Man Squad for Rwanda and South Africa, Boniface Misses Out

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has announced his 23-man squad for next month’s pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, with striker Victor Boniface notably absent amid ongoing fitness concerns, Sport360NG reports.

The Bayer Leverkusen forward, who recently saw a potential move to AC Milan collapse after failing a series of medical examinations, is the most high-profile omission.

Boniface’s exclusion comes after persistent questions over his long-term fitness, following multiple cruciate ligament injuries and recurring muscular issues that have limited his playing time in recent seasons. The 24-year-old returned to training with Leverkusen on Wednesday and had been expected to lead Nigeria’s attack alongside Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. His absence leaves Chelle to rely on Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, and Samuel Chukwueze as alternative options upfront.

On a positive note, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been cleared to play and makes the squad. The Chippa United shot-stopper had been stretchered off during a South African league fixture against Richards Bay on Tuesday, raising fears he might miss the qualifiers. Medical tests, however, confirmed the 29-year-old is fit to return, giving Chelle reassurance ahead of the crucial double-header. Nwabali has been Nigeria’s number one since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, earning praise for his commanding performances.

The Super Eagles will host Rwanda in Uyo on September 6 before travelling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana three days later. With seven points from six matches, Nigeria currently sits fourth in Group C, six points behind the South Africans. Failure to claim maximum points in these matches could jeopardize their qualification hopes before the final round in October.

The squad is led by captain William Troost-Ekong and includes key figures such as Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Lookman, and Osimhen. Defender Felix Agu returns, joined by Unity Cup standouts Benjamin Fredericks and Christantus Uche.