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Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has assembled the five most valuable African players ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 23-man list features a host of household Nigerian players like Stanley Nwabali, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, William Troost-Ekong and Ola Aina.
Chelle’s squad, as per Transfermarkt, has a market value of €356.4m, equating to a value of over half a trillion in Nigerian currency (₦596.57bn).
Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Semi Ajayi and Victor Osimhen of Nigeria during the Afcon 2023 match between Cote D Ivoire and Nigeria at Stade D Ebimpe on January 18, 2024 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
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Nigeria’s backline is worth €51.2m (₦85.7bn), while our midfielders combine for a total of €68m (₦113.8bn). The Super Eagles attack has a transfer market value of €237m (₦396.7bn).
The Super Eagles’ most valuable defender is Calvin Bassey (€16m), while Ola Aina (€14m) is a close second. In midfield is Fulham’s Alex Iwobi (€25m), while Victor Osimhen leads the attack with goals and market drive (€75m).
Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina during the Super Eagles of Nigeria training in preparation for the match against Cheetahs of Benin Republic [Photo credit/Imago].
The rise in the success of Nigerian players in Europe has seen their market value go up as well. Some of these players are well sought after in their respective clubs.
1. Victor Osimhen €75m (₦125bn)
The Napoli loanee is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe. His brilliant form has seen clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain follow in his trail.
Victor Osimhen during the Turkish Superlig match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi stadium on Feb. 24 [Photo Credit/ Imago].2. Ademola Lookman €55m (₦92.06bn)
Lookman has been Atalanta’s saviour on several occasions in the past year, proving his vitality for his side. His steady improvement on the pitch has seen his market value grow as well.
Ademola Lookman with the CAF Player of the Year Award alongside CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. [Photo credit/ X]3. Victor Boniface €45m (₦75.3bn)
Boniface lit up the German Bundesliga in his debut season, winning the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal while helping them reach the final of the UEFA Europa League. He’s experienced a slight dip in form this year, but his ability on the ball is evident for all to see.
Victor Boniface of Nigeria and Rwanda defenders during the Men’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON qualifier match between Nigeria and Rwanda [Photo credit/Imago]4. Alex Iwobi €25m (₦41.85bn)
Now one of the senior players in the Super Eagles team, Iwobi’s market value is a testament to the hard work he’s done to be a consistent elite player in the English Premier League for nearly a decade.
Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria during the Afcon 2023 match between Nigeria and Equitorial Guinea at Stade D Ebimpe on January 14, 2024 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. [Photo Credit/ Imago].5. Nathan Tella, Wilfred Ndidi, and Samuel Chukwueze €18m (₦30.1bn)
The Super Eagles trio, at different stages of their career and across different positions, have the same market value.
Super Eagles squad list
Eric Chelle’s 23-man Super Eagles face to face The Republic of Rwanda and Zimbabwe;
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).
Alex Iwobi in action for the Super Eagles. [Photo Credit/ Soccernet Nigeria].
Super Eagles next match
Nigeria will trade tackles with Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before returning to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo to lock horns with Zimbabwe four days later.
The two games are must-win fixtures for the Super Eagles, who have endured a torrid start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.
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