AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle Names 4 Centre Backs in Super Eagles Final 28-Man Squad
- Eric Chelle is set to release his final 28-man team list for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco
- The Super Eagles coach has reportedly picked four centre-backs as he prepares to replace William Troost-Ekong
- Jordan Torunarigha also requested that he be left out of the team, with no assurance of a chance to play
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has reportedly named four centre-backs in his final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Franco-Malian tactician is billed to submit his 28-man team for the competition on December 10, the deadline as given by CAF.
The three-time African champions are drawn in Group C, facing Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda as they chase a fourth continental title.
Source: Getty Images
Chelle had named 55 players in his provisional list, but the national team retirement of skipper William Troost-Ekong seems to have disrupted his plans.
As a result, the tactician would need to name formidable players to play in the centre-back role, who will spearhead the backline, according to Africa Top Sports.
The situation even went from bad to worse after Hamburg defender Jordan Torunarigha requested that he be left out of the team for the continental showpiece.
The centre-back reportedly raised concerns that there were no assurances of getting a starting shirt at the competition, and decided to opt out of being selected.
According to Own Goal Nigeria, sources close to the team claim that Chelle has picked the quartet of Semi Ajayi, Igoh Ogbu, Calvin Bassey and Chidozie Awadiem to man the defence.
He has also seemingly settled for Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ryan Alebiosu to play in the right-back position, while Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi will be options on the left.
Chelle to strip Nwabali of No.1 shirt?
Meanwhile, reports have it that Eric Chelle has reportedly concluded plans to name a new first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming AFCON tournament.
Six shot-stoppers, including Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos, Nigeria), will all battle to make the final squad.
Nwabali, who has consistently manned the sticks for the three-time African champions, is set to be displaced from the position.
Source: Getty Images
He seems to have lost his form after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, making glaring and costly errors in subsequent matches.
Nwabali left Nigerian fans with their hearts in their mouths during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, having made some howlers at crucial moments.
Nigeria vs Egypt's pre-AFCON friendly postponed
Legit.ng earlier reported that the proposed friendly match between Nigeria and Egypt before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off was postponed due to FIFA's new regulations.
The Super Eagles were set to clash with the Pharaohs at the Cairo International Stadium on December 14 in preparation, but the game has now been rescheduled for December 16.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
