Why these key players are missing from Peseiro's 23 man squad

Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Peseiro has released his 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

The squad includes regulars such as goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi were also included in the squad.

Missing from the team, however, are Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukweze, Wilfred Ndidi Semi Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi.

Both Napoli striker Osimhen and AC Milan winger Chukwueze were injured on international duty last month and are yet to recover.

Wilfred Ndidi has been ruled out with a muscle injury while Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi are on the treatment table.

The Huye Stadium, located in Butare, Rwanda, has been chosen as Zimbabwe’s home venue for the qualifiers, as no stadium in Zimbabwe met the criteria for hosting FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

List of Invited Players:

Goalkeepers:

1. Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
2. Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
3. Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)

Defenders:

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

Midfielders:

1. Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
2. Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England)
3. Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
4. Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards:

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

NBA