Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella has pulled out of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe due to injury, with Gent defender Jordan Torunarigha drafted in as his replacement, The ViewOnline Sports reports.
The adjustment comes just two days after the Super Eagles’ final 23-man squad was unveiled for coach Eric Chelle’s first set of matches in charge.
“Camp update: Jordan Torunarigha has been called to replace injured Nathan Tella. We wish Nathan a quick recovery,” the Super Eagles confirmed via X (formerly Twitter).
Tella, who was an unused substitute in Bayer Leverkusen’s UEFA Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, has now been ruled out after it was confirmed that the 25-year-old is nursing an injury.
This marks the second time the Leverkusen star has been forced to withdraw from national team duties after receiving a call-up. So far, he has earned just one cap for Nigeria, making his debut in the first-leg clash against Zimbabwe on November 19, 2023.
His replacement, Jordan Torunarigha, has also been capped once—during an international friendly against Mozambique in October 2023. Initially included in the 39-man provisional squad, the 27-year-old was omitted from the final selection as Chelle opted for seven defenders.
This season, Torunarigha has featured 22 times for Gent in the Belgian Pro League, registering one assist.
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21, before returning to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo to face Zimbabwe on Tuesday, March 25. With only three points from four matches, Nigeria sits in fifth place, trailing group leaders Rwanda by four points with six games left in the qualifying campaign.
The three-time African champions are at risk of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. However, victories in the upcoming matches could reignite their qualification hopes.
