“Forwards Na Water”: Fans React As Eric Chelle Releases 54-Man Provisional List Ahead of AFCON
- Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has released his preliminary squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- Nigeria are eyeing their fourth continental trophy which is scheduled between December 21 to January 18, 2026
- Football fans have expressed their concerns over the number of strikers invited by the former Mali coach
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
Eric Chelle has released his 54-man provisional list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced the list after meeting with the former Mali coach in Abuja on Monday, December 1.
Following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, the NFF has mandated Chelle to secure AFCON qualification or risk losing his job.
Source: Getty Images
The Super Eagles coach is expected to trim the squad to 28 players before the submission deadline set by the Confederation of African Football, per CAF.
Chelle invites 23 forwards
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has included a total of 23 strikers in his 54-man provisional list.
According to the NFF, former CAF Players of the Year Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) and Ademola Lookman (Atalanta) headline the list of forwards for the 2025 AFCON.
Chelle has also recalled out-of-favour players such as Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad), and Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow).
The 49-year-old further listed injured or recovering players, including Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest) and Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen), while Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes) and Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United) were selected from the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Chelle extended an invitation to six goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, Francis Uzoho, and Ebenezer Harcourt; 13 defenders and 12 midfielders.
Source: Getty Images
The former Mali coach will be seeking to better the Super Eagles' performance at the last AFCON, where they finished in second position behind host Ivory Coast.
The three-time AFCON champions have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Fans react
Legit.ng compiled the reactions of fans following Eric Chelle naming 23 forwards in his 54-man squad. Read them below:
Mc Youngest Comedian Chibueze said:
"Forwards na water 😁😁,,
"Who will play and who will sit on the bench?"
Kassouette L'imbattable Nigérian wrote:
"In attack, he takes Boniface, Victor Osimhen, Lookman, Moffi Tella, Moses, Samuel Awoniyi, and Arokodare."
Premier Soccer Mzansi added:
"Nigeria needs a creative no.10 that will compliment Ndidi and Iwobi in the middle and play just behind Osimhen. Than in the wings play Lookman on the left and Chukwueze on the right. If they can't find the proper no.10 play Lookman as no.10 and put Ejuke on the left wing."
Kenneth Maxwellz said:
"23 forward?😳 Na war?🤲🤲"
Dirim-TooReal wrote:
"Eric Chelle called up almost every Nigerian striker for AFCON… the man don learn! 😂."
South Africa names AFCON 2025 squad
Legit.ng earlier reported that South Africa has announced its final 25-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and Nigerian defender Ime Okon was surprisingly dropped.
According to CAF, Hugo Broos, who was the first to announce his preliminary squad, took a step forward by trimming his squad 10 days before the December 11 deadline.
Source: Legit.ng
