New Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle can count on reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, for the Super Eagles’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Although Lookman is currently sidelined with an injury, he is recovering quickly after missing Atlanta’s last few games. The 27-year-old picked up the injury just hours before last month’s UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona.
Reports from Italy suggest he could return to action in about two weeks, making him available for selection when Atalanta faces Empoli away from home.
Before his injury, Lookman was in outstanding form, scoring 16 goals and providing five assists in 25 matches this season. If he regains fitness on schedule, he could feature in three Serie A games—against Empoli, Venezia, and Juventus—before joining the Super Eagles camp for the qualifiers.
Nigeria will face Rwanda on March 21 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, followed by a home game against Zimbabwe five days later at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
As the new Super Eagles manager, Eric Chelle is under pressure to start his tenure on a winning note and revive Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes after a poor start to the campaign.
The team sits fifth in Group C with three points from four matches against Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin the Republic.
