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Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, as Nigeria prepares for another push toward continental glory.
The list was released on Tuesday through the Super Eagles’ official X account, sparking immediate reactions from fans who have been anticipating the final team Nigeria will take to the tournament.
The squad features a mix of experienced players, established stars, and new faces hoping to break into the final team.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Tolu Arokodare lead the attacking lineup.
Their inclusion comes as no surprise, considering their recent form and consistency for both club and country. Osimhen, who remains central to Nigeria’s attack, is expected to play a crucial role as the competition kicks off later this month.
Chelle also included top-performing goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali. Nwabali, who impressed at the last AFCON, retains his place alongside Okoye, while Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye, Francis Uzoho, and Ebenezer Harcourt complete the goalkeeping department.
Their selection reflects the coach’s attempt to strengthen the team’s depth ahead of a long tournament schedule.
In midfield, the likes of Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Frank Onyeka headline a strong group with both experience and versatility. Ndidi’s return to the national team setup is particularly notable following his move to Besiktas, where he has enjoyed regular minutes. Brentford’s Onyeka also keeps his place, while Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, Crystal Palace’s Christantus Uche, and Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru add further depth.
Young talents like Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro also received call-ups, signalling Chelle’s willingness to blend youth with experience.
The defence features William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, and Semi Ajayi, forming the backbone of Nigeria’s backline.
Ekong, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, brings leadership and stability, while Aina and Bassey continue to build on their Premier League experience. Zaidu Sanusi, Chidozie Awaziem, Igoh Ogbu, and Bright Osayi-Samuel also make the list, offering Chelle numerous options across both full-back and centre-back positions.
The forwards list is the most extensive, reflecting Nigeria’s attacking strength. Besides Osimhen and Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sadiq Umar, Victor Boniface, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, and Nathan Tella all made the provisional squad.
Local league players such as Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes), Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United), and Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves) were also selected, giving home-based talents a rare chance to compete for a place in the final team.
The 2025 AFCON will kick off later this month and run through January 2026. With the release of the provisional list, the next major step will be the announcement of the final squad that will represent Nigeria at the tournament. Expectations remain high as the Super Eagles aim to reclaim Africa’s top football prize.
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