Veteran forward Ahmed Musa has been called up to the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 must-win World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, returning to the team after almost a year of absence.

The Kano Pillars player was named in the 39-man provisional squad which included the familiar, new faces and forgotten.

Coach Eric Chelle who since his appointment last year has been spotted watching the domestic league, has understandably called up some Nigeria Premier Football League stars for the games, offering more options to the Super Eagles who are in dire need of a revival to qualify for the competition billed for the US, Canada and Mexico.

Musa, who is Nigeria’s highest goalscorer at the World Cup and the team’s captain, did not feature for the Super Eagles when they clinched silver at the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, early last year.

Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars, Rangers’ Ifeanyi Onyebuchi; Papa Daniel Mustapha of Niger Tornadoes, and Musa were the home-based players invited by the Malian gaffer.

Ifeanyi Onyebuchi – Rangers Papa Daniel – Niger Tornadoes, Kayode Bankole – Remo Stars