Morocco 2025: Ekong, Aina, Simon, Ndidi, 19 others to battle Benin Republic, Rwanda

Captain William Ekong, wingback Olaoluwa Aina, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi are back in the Super Eagles’ lineup for next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Ekong, this year’s AFCON Man-of-the-Competition, missed Matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race in June due to his injury recovery, while Aina, Awoniyi, and reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen were all out due to injuries.

According to Persecondnews, three goalkeepers made the cut, including Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards.

Bendel Insurance safe hands Amas Obasogie also returns, just as South Africa-based defender Olisa Nda and Taiwo Awoniyi, who have not been called since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo on Matchday 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in November last year.

The Super Eagles face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, September 7th, before flying to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, September 10th.

All the players are expected to report to Uyo on Monday, 2nd September.

Full squad list:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC).

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

Mielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England).

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atal soanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England).