Introducing Chelle’s newest Eagles
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle released the final 23-man list for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, with four potential debutants. ABIODUN ADEWALE profiles the new players ahead of the clash against Rwanda and Zimbabwe
Tolu Arokodare (Genk)
Genk striker Arokodare finally gets his call-up in his best season in Europe, where he has been sojourning since 2019 – from FC Koln in Germany to Valmiera FC in Latvia, Amiens in France’s second division and Genk in Belgium.
After Victor Osimhen (23 goals), and Cyriel Dessers (22 goals) – who didn’t make the list – Arokodare is the third most prolific Nigerian striker in Europe this season with 18 goals and six assists in 34 games across all competitions for Genk.
He is also the highest goal scorer in the Belgium Jupiler Pro League with 16 goals in 29 games so far this season as Genk hold a nine-point gap in the regular season.
The 24-year-old joined Genk in January 2023 as a replacement for Nigerian striker, Paul Onuachu, who left the club for Southampton in the EPL.
Arokodare’s inclusion provides another option for Chelle upfront in the qualifiers but it’s hard to see if he will partner Osimhen.
Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague)
After leaving Gombe United in 2018, Ogbu has played for five clubs, (four in Norway) before moving to the Czech Republic to join Slavia Prague in January 2023.
In two years, he has become less nomadic and a mainstay, earning his call-up to the Super Eagles.
He is the third centre-back option in Chelle’s squad, meaning he’s likely to get his first cap as a substitute unless he proves better than captain William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey.
This season, the centre-back has made 19 appearances in the Czech league, scoring one goal as his club stay at the top of the Czech topflight with 65 points after 25 games.
Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
One of the breakout stars of the 2024/25 NPFL season, Mustapha revelled during the home-based Eagles qualifiers for the 2024 CHAN, mesmerising with his left foot as he dictated play from the middle with dribbles, passes, and long-range efforts.
The Niger Tornadoes midfielder has made 18 appearances in the NPFL this season, scoring three goals plus two assists. He has, however, missed the club’s last five matches due to a purported move abroad.
Mustapha, 23, has had a foray abroad, featuring for Adanaspor in Turkey.
His inclusion comes as a surprise, not because of his ability but due to his recent inactivity. He made the final list ahead of other midfield options like Christantus Uche and Frank Onyeka.
Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
In his most underwhelming season in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Remo Stars goalkeeper Bankole finally gets a call-up to the Super Eagles.
Although he has been involved with the Super Eagles B for about three years, this is the first time the 22-year-old will be assembling with the main team which consists of other foreign-based players.
His debut with the national team came on November 10, 2022, during Nigeria’s friendly against Costa Rica. He captained the team and played 77 minutes in the 2-0 loss.
Recently, he was back with the home-based Eagles for the 2024 CHAN qualifiers but was second choice behind Ani Ozoemena of Enyimba, who didn’t make the provisional squad for these qualifiers.
Having only made seven appearances this season, Bankole’s spot in the 23-man list for Rwanda and Zimbabwe might not be unconnected to his ball-playing ability and other qualities.
Bankole kept the highest number of clean sheets in the NPFL (11) during the 2022/23 season.
