Super Eagles Head Coach Finidi Chelle has announced a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s crucial Africa 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Offs, with the team’s captain William Troost-Ekong leading a strong lineup.

The list, released early Saturday, features top stars including Victor Osimhen, Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Also returning to the fold are Maduka Okoye and Chidera Ejuke, while Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman maintain their places in the squad.

The Super Eagles will face Gabon in the first semi-final at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday, November 13, while Cameroon take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other semi-final at the El-Barid Stadium.

Defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi will miss the Gabon tie due to suspension, having accumulated two yellow cards in the qualifiers.

Chelle’s men are expected to arrive in Rabat on November 10 from their various clubs across Europe and Africa.

Full List of Invited Super Eagles Players

Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy).

Defenders:
William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium).

Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium).

Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).

Match Information

• Fixture: Nigeria 🇳🇬 vs Gabon 🇬🇦
• Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-Offs
• Venue: Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay Al Hassan, Rabat (Capacity: 22,000)
• Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has been named in Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Best XI after a record-breaking season amid reports linking him with a potential four-month loan move to Turkish side Galatasaray during the 2026 World Cup break.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner enjoyed a remarkable campaign, scoring a league-high 29 goals and providing 19 assists, becoming only the second player in MLS history to top both charts in a single season. His performances guided Inter Miami to one of their best-ever league finishes and earned him recognition as one of MLS’s standout players.

Messi was joined in attack by Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC and Anders Dreyer of San Diego FC, while Minnesota United’s Dayne St. Clair was named Goalkeeper of the Year and included in the Best XI alongside defenders Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), and Philadelphia Union’s Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner.

In midfield, Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Evander (FC Cincinnati), and Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders) completed the elite lineup, with six players St. Clair, Blackmon, Freeman, Roldan, Berhalter, and Dreyer earning their first ever Best XI selections.

Meanwhile, reports from Turkish media suggest that Galatasaray are exploring a short-term loan deal for Messi during the MLS off-season, which coincides with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His representatives have reportedly proposed the arrangement, with Galatasaray said to be willing to cover his €10 million salary to bolster their UEFA Champions League campaign.

Neither Galatasaray, Inter Miami, nor Messi’s camp have issued official comments regarding the speculation. The Argentine star, who extended his Inter Miami contract through 2028, appears focused on maintaining top form as he continues to make history in American soccer.

Source: AFP / Turkish Media Reports

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Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Qarabag in their UEFA Champions League Group Stage clash in Baku on Wednesday, as an early injury to Romeo Lavia overshadowed a spirited contest.

The Blues took the lead in the 16th minute through Estêvão, who continued his impressive European form. However, Camilo Durán equalized for the Azerbaijani side before Marko Janković converted a penalty to put Qarabag ahead.

Chelsea responded in the second half, with João Pedro netting a 72nd-minute equalizer following an assist from Alejandro Garnacho.

The result leaves Chelsea on seven points from four matches, maintaining their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage but raising concerns over Lavia’s fitness after he was forced off early in the game.

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Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for October, following a stellar run that saw him net four goals and provide two assists in five matches.

The 25-year-old, who joined United from Brentford during the summer transfer window, played a pivotal role in the Red Devils’ resurgence, including scoring the decisive goal in the 2-1 victory over Liverpool and bagging a brace in a 4-2 win against Brighton.

Mbeumo’s outstanding performances saw him edge out fellow nominees Bruno Guimarães and Mohamed Salah for the monthly accolade.

Reacting to the achievement, United manager Ruben Amorim praised Mbeumo’s work ethic and intelligence on the pitch, describing him as “a player who combines hunger with tactical maturity.”

The Cameroonian international also clinched Manchester United’s internal Player of the Month award, winning 67% of the fan votes.

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Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved decisive as Al Nassr extended their flawless start to the Saudi Pro League season with a 2–1 victory over Al Fayha at Al-Awwal Park on Saturday night.

Ronaldo, 40, equalized in the 37th minute with a trademark header after Jason had given Al Fayha a shock lead in the 13th minute. With the game heading for a draw, the Portuguese superstar stepped up deep into stoppage time to convert a 104th-minute penalty, securing all three points for Al Nassr and preserving their perfect 8–0 league record.

The brace took Ronaldo’s astonishing career tally to 952 goals, putting him just 48 goals away from the 1,000-goal milestone a landmark no professional footballer has ever achieved.

Adding to the family’s celebration, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., aged 15, also made headlines earlier in the day after scoring on his debut for Portugal’s U-16 national team, further fueling talk of a new Ronaldo generation on the rise.

Ronaldo’s spirited post-match Saudi dance celebration delighted fans inside Al-Awwal Park and underscored his continued influence both on and off the pitch.

With the win, Al Nassr remain top of the Saudi Pro League, continuing their dominant run under coach Luis Castro, while Al Fayha drop further into mid-table despite a brave showing.

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