The super Eagles of Nigeria now focuses on the crucial fixtures coming up in a few weeks time as they seek to grap the FIFA 2026 world cup ticket via the World cup qualifiers playoff Africa. The most important things at the moment for the Nigerian football federation and the management of the super Eagles is how they’ll make it to the biggest football event in the world.
They will be no surprises if the team seeks the services of some Super Eagles eligible players for the World cup qualifiers playoff Africa. But who are those new faces we could see in the super Eagles team for their world cup qualifiers playoff Africa?
3 New faces that could graise the super Eagles squad for world cup qualifiers playoff Africa.
1. Noah Atubolu (Goalkeeper: SC Freiburg)
With the current realities in the goalkeeping sector of the super Eagles team, it is expected that there will be some moves in the regards of making some reinforcements. Noah Atubolu has already established himself as the first choice goalkeeper for Freiburg SC and he is certainly a goalie that the Nigerian team could trust between the sticks.
Noah Atubolu represented the German age-grade teams but he is still eligible to feature for the super Eagles of Nigeria. He currently hold the record for the most consecutive penalty saves in the German Bundesliga.
With the recent shaky performance of Stanley Nwabali for both club and country, it will be very necessary to have another reliable goalkeeper in the team ahead of the world cup qualifiers playoff Africa, this will at least give the coach an option to chose from when they commence the playoffs.
2. Michael Kayode (Right-back, Brentford)
Michael Kayode has risen to be one of the most sort-after young defenders. Pacy, defensively stable, and visionary when going forward. He is an example of a modern fullback capable of providing width and defensive stability in equal measure.
Kayode Michael was born in Italy to Igbo Nigerian parents. The 21-year-old joined English Premier League side, Brentford on loan from Fiorentina FC in Italy before joining the English team on a permanent contract.
Though there is no information on whether he is willing to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria, he will certainly be a very useful addition to the super Eagles team if he does so before the world cup qualifiers playoff Africa division.
3. Honest Ahanor (Defender: Atalanta)
Honest Ahanor was born on February 23, 2008, in Aversa, Italy to Nigerian parents. Though he grew up and was developed entirely within the Italian football system, the 17-year-old is still ineligible to represent Italy at any level for now.
After failing to get an automatic spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Nigerian Football Federation seem to be scouting several foreign-born players who can help the Super Eagles of Nigeria during the playoffs, which will kick off in November.
With Honest Ahanor’s technical quality and remarkable rise at club level, he could be a cornerstone for Nigeria’s defence in the coming months, especially with the fact that players like William Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi are nearing their end in the national team.
Honest Ahanor has already started five times and has also made 2 appearances from the bench for Atalanta this season, a recognizable feat for a 17-year-old in the Italian Serie A.
The Atalanta star has reportedly been told to choose Nigeria. LegitNG reported that the Super Eagles’ forward Ademola Lookman has urged Atalanta youngster Honest Ahanor to commit his nation allegiance to the senior national team of Nigeria. This comes barely two weeks before the record African champions head to Morocco for the World Cup qualifiers playoff Africa, where they will take on the Panthers of Gabon
