Igoh Ogbu is in contention to make his long-awaited senior debut for Nigeria after being included in head coach Eric Chelle provisional squad list released on Tuesday.
Six years after last featuring for the Flying Eagles in a FIFA U-20 World Cup match against Senegal, Ogbu has been named in the Super Eagles’ 39-man provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The Slavia Prague defender will be competing with the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Gabriel Osho, Calvin Bassey, Jordan Torunarigha, and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi for a place in the final squad.
Following reports of his inclusion in the Super Eagles squad, Slavia Prague celebrated Ogbu’s achievement with a social media post:
“Igoh Ogbu earns his first senior @ng_supereagles call-up! Nigeria will face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Congratulations, Iggy! We are so proud of you!”
Rock-Solid for Slavia Prague
Ogbu’s call-up comes on the back of his outstanding performances for Slavia Prague, where he has been a key figure in their defensive unit.
The 25-year-old has helped the Czech giants dominate the league this season, with Slavia sitting 13 points clear at the top as they chase their eighth domestic title.
He has played 18 league matches this season, scoring once, while also making valuable contributions in the Champions League qualifiers and Europa League group stage.
His experience at that level positions him as a strong replacement for the injured Semi Ajayi.
A Long-Awaited Opportunity
Despite his consistent displays, Ogbu’s senior national team call-up has taken longer than expected. However, the defender has remained patient, knowing his time would come.
A tough-tackling, no-nonsense centre-back, Ogbu has shown his ability to compete against Europe’s top forwards.
Last season, he faced Romelu Lukaku, Olivier Giroud, and Omar Marmoush in the Europa League experiences that have only strengthened his game.
Now set to join Eric Chelle’s squad, Ogbu’s fearless attitude and growing reputation could make him an important figure as Nigeria looks to turn their World Cup qualifying campaign around.
Super Eagles Desperate for a Comeback
Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C with just three points from four matches, putting their World Cup hopes at serious risk. Having already missed out on Qatar 2022, another failure to qualify would be a major setback.
With crucial matches against Rwanda (March 21) and Zimbabwe (March 25) coming up, the Super Eagles must bounce back to keep their hopes alive.
Ogbu’s addition could provide the defensive stability needed as Nigeria aims to revive its World Cup qualification campaign.
