Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named the final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The 28-player squad is a mixture of familiar stars and new names as the Eagles prepare for the competition starting on December 21.
Several players included in the initial 54-player provisional squad were culled from the list.
The biggest surprise in the final squad is the omission of Maduka Okoye.
Okoye has returned to form for Udinese in recent months, following his suspension for a match-fixing scandal. He was in a prime position to replace Nwabali, who has been battling injuries, as the Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper.
On Monday, Vusimuzi Vilakazi, the head coach of Chippa United, said Nwabali is currently dealing with injuries in an ankle and hand and might not be fit to play at AFCON. Victor Boniface, Tolu Arokodare and Kelechi Iheanacho are also dropped while Paul Onuachu returns to the Super Eagles after a lengthy spell out.
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro gets his first-ever call-up to the team, and Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey and Wilfred Ndidi also made the squad.
The Super Eagles will play Egypt in a practice match on December 16, with players expected to arrive a day earlier.
The Eagles are in Group C of the tournament alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda. Nigeria will play Tanzania in their first match of the competition on December 23 before facing Tunisia four days later. The team’s final group game will be against Uganda on December 30.
THE 28 PLAYERS IN FINAL SQUAD LIST
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)
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 (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); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961 (Croatia).
