The Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing for back-to-back crucial fixtures, facing Rwanda’s Amavubi on Saturday in Uyo before travelling to South Africa to play Bafana Bafana at the Free State Toyota Stadium on Tuesday.
Coach Eric Chelle’s squad is acutely aware that any slip-ups could jeopardize Nigeria’s chance to qualify for a second consecutive FIFA World Cup.
The 23-man team has been selected to help Nigeria recover lost ground in the qualification campaign. Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars), and Adebayo Adeleye (Volos NPS) collectively hold a market value of €1.1 million (₦1.96 billion).
In defence, Fulham’s Calvin Bassey is Nigeria’s most valuable defender at €25 million (₦44.6 billion), closely followed by Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina at €22 million (₦39.3 billion). Chidozie Awaziem (FC Nantes), William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood FC), Benjamin Frederick (FCV Denver), Felix Agu (Werder Bremen), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), and Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos Piraeus) combine for a value of €20.85 million (₦37.2 billion).
Fulham’s Alex Iwobi is the most valuable midfielder at €28 million (₦50 billion), with Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika valued at €20 million (₦35.7 billion). Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), and Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas JK) collectively add €44.5 million (₦79.7 billion) to the midfield’s market worth.
The Super Eagles boast one of Africa’s most valuable attacking units. Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen leads the frontline at €70 million (₦124.8 billion), followed by Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman at €60 million (₦107 billion). Moses Simon (Paris FC), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC), and Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers) together account for €44 million (₦78.5 billion).
Overall, Eric Chelle’s 23-man squad for the Rwanda and South Africa matches carries an estimated market value of €335.45 million (₦598.76 billion), slightly below the valuation of English Premier League side Fulham, which stands at €337.5 million. The squad’s combined talent and financial value underscore the high stakes as Nigeria seeks to secure its place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
