Veteran forward Ahmed Musa has been called up to the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 must-win World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, returning to the team after almost a year of absence.
The Kano Pillars player was named in the 39-man provisional squad which included the familiar, new faces and forgotten.
Musa, who is Nigeria’s highest goalscorer at the World Cup and the team’s captain, was in the side that featured for the Super Eagles when they clinched silver at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) early last year. He did not, however, play any match.
But he will be among the options for the Super Eagles ahead of the all-important clash for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Coach Eric Chelle who since his appointment last year has been spotted watching the domestic league, has understandably called up some Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) stars for the games, offering more options to the Super Eagles who are in dire need of a revival to qualify for the competition billed for the US, Canada and Mexico.
Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars, Rangers’ Ifeanyi Onyebuchi; Papa Daniel Mustapha of Niger Tornadoes, and Musa were the home-based players invited by the Malian gaffer.
As expected, the squad included the core of the team that reached the AFCON final. Reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman; Victor Boniface; Victor Osimhen; Ola Aina; defence strongman William Troost-Ekong; Calvin Bassey, Wilfred Ndidi; Ola Aina; and Alex Iwobi have all been called up.
