SUPER Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro, has invited a 23-man squad as the team is set to begin the race for the 2026 World Cup against Lesotho next Thursday, November 16.

A new twist in the squad saw Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella, who hopes to make his first international cap for Nigeria, and two long-laid-off players, Jamilu Collins and Sadiq Umar, making their return to the squad.

Both Collins and Umar have not played for the Super Eagles for some months due to injuries.

They will join other called-up players, which include goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.

The full list

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

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

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

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

After the match against Lesotho, the Super Eagles will fly to Rwanda for a clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday, 19th November.

The 20,000-capacity Huye Stadium, located in Butare and 135 kilometres south of the Rwandan capital, Kigali, has an artificial turf.