Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has confirmed that Russian-based forward, Olakunle Olusegun, was unable to join the national team in South Africa ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
Chelle explained that Olusegun was prevented from traveling by Turkish authorities and had to return to Nigeria, where he will wait for the squad’s arrival for their next fixture against Benin Republic.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday, the Super Eagles coach revealed that New England Revolution midfielder, Alhassan Yusuf, has already linked up with the team in South Africa.
Chelle also disclosed that Akor Adams of Sevilla and Zaidu Sanusi of FC Porto arrived in camp on Tuesday, bringing the total number of players available to 21.
“Three players came yesterday — Akor, Yusuf, and Zaidu. Now we are 21,” Chelle said. “We have a player who was blocked in Turkey. He went straight to Nigeria to wait for us in Nigeria for the second game.”
The Super Eagles are set to face Lesotho on Friday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane before returning to Nigeria to host Benin Republic on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria must win both matches to maintain hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, while also banking on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana to drop points against Zimbabwe.
