Osimhen, Lookman Lead As Eric Chelle Announces Super Eagles Squad for AFCON 2025
- Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has officially announced his 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- Chelle submitted the list on time to meet the CAF deadline on December 11, 2025, before it was unveiled to Nigerians
- There are five new faces, including Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, while there are a few notable omissions, like Maduka Okoye
- Nigerian journalist Johnson Opeisa admits that reactions are expected, but the team's success supersedes such
Eric Chelle has officially announced his Super Eagles’ final 28-man squad for the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Chelle initially released a 54-man preliminary squad, which he has now downsized to only those he is taking to the tournament in Morocco.
Source: Getty Images
Nigerians have had an anxious wait to discover their representatives at the tournament, which kicks off on December 21, 2025, through to January 18, 2026.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) set a deadline of Wednesday, December 11, 2025, for all participating teams to submit their final squad.
Eric Chelle announces Super Eagles squad
After a long wait, Chelle published his final 28-man squad on the Super Eagles' official X page, and it immediately sent the Nigerian media space into a frenzy.
There is a surprise in the goalkeeping department with Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye excluded for Francis Uzoho, while Stanley Nwabali is named on the list despite his injury concerns.
The defence is as expected after the unfortunate knee injury to Benjamin Fredrick and former captain William Troost-Ekong’s international retirement.
Right-back Ola Aina failed to shake off the hamstring injury he suffered against South Africa in September, while Felix Agu remained sidelined with his ligament injury.
As noted by NFF, there were three new faces in the midfield, including Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, while regular invitee and New England Revolution star Yusuf Alhasan was excluded.
ACL Sport added that Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare was surprisingly excluded from the squad, while there is also no spot for Crystal Palace star Uche Christantus.
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus).
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England).
Source: Getty Images
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Tochukwu Nnadi (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium).
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece).
“Reactions are expected to trail this squad announcement as it has always been. It is not perfect, it is very questionable, even though it is perfect, it can not be perfect for everyone,” Johnson Opeisa told Legit.ng.
“As much as we want to be angry as Nigerians because of personal fondness or business interest in some players, we should back the team and hope for the best.”
Tanzania releases squad to face Nigeria
Legit.ng reported that Tanzania announced its 28-man squad to face Nigeria in the first match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Group C.
The Taifa Stars have begun preparations in Morocco after naming a squad dominated by players in the Tanzanian Premier League, with only nine players outside the league.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
