Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Nathan Tella has withdrawn from the Super Eagles squad ahead of Nigeria's World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin. Tella cited family reasons for his withdrawal from the national team.
In light of Tella's absence, Coach Finidi George has called up Caykur Rizespor star Ibrahim Olawoyin to join the squad. The announcement was made on the national team's official X account, stating, "WCQ Camp Update: Nathan Tella of Bayer Leverkusen has excused himself from the upcoming WCQ matches due to family reasons. Coach Finidi George has now called up Ibrahim Olawoyin of Caykur Rizespor of Turkey."
The Super Eagles camp for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic will open on Monday, June 3. Nigeria is set to face South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, June 7, before traveling to Ivory Coast to face Benin Republic on Monday, June 10.
Despite speculations that the team's camp would open over the weekend, Ademola Olajire, the Director of Media and Communications of the Nigeria Football Federation, confirmed to The PUNCH that the camp will officially open on Monday, June 3.
