Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has called a appalling 28-man band for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with brilliant forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman headlining a accumulation ample with advancing firepower.
The Super Eagles, runners-up at the aftermost AFCON, accessible their Accumulation C attack on 23 December adjoin Tanzania, afore adverse Tunisia and Uganda as they aim to defended aboriginal accomplishment for the knockout rounds.
With the top two advanced automatically—and four of the six third-placed teams additionally advancing—Nigeria access the antagonism as one of the favourites to ability the closing stages.
Osimhen and Lookman advance feared advanced band
Chelle’s band reflects Nigeria’s arresting abyss in attack: nine assiduously accept been selected, including ascendant African stars Osimhen (Galatasaray) and Lookman (Atalanta).
But there is no allowance for Bundesliga striker Victor Boniface, whose blank has fatigued surprise, while new Wolves signing Tolu Arokodare additionally misses out.
Despite the affluence of advancing options, Fulham accompaniment Samuel Chukwueze, who afresh denticulate alert adjoin Manchester City, secures his place.
Paul Onuachu, Moses Simon, Cyriel Dessers and Chidera Ejuke advice anatomy one of the best almighty advanced curve in the competition.
Balance in midfield, acquaintance in defence
Nigeria’s midfield appearance a alloy of Premier League aptitude and ascent European-based players.
Fulham’s Alex Iwobi and Brentford’s Frank Onyeka accommodate experience, while Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru strengthen the back of Chelle’s team.
In defence, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi return, abutting by arising Blackburn full-back Ryan Alebiosu.
Injured Nwabali included
First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, currently alone at Chippa United, has been best and is accepted to acknowledgment during the accumulation stage.
He is abutting by Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie.
A fourth AFCON acme in sight?
Nigeria aftermost won the clash in 2013 and accomplished the final in 2024.
With Chelle’s band boasting experience, abyss and high-profile talent, expectations are aerial as the Super Eagles adapt for a countdown bout adjoin Egypt on 16 December afore aerial to Fes for their accumulation fixtures.
FULL NIGERIA SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025 Goalkeepers
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus)
Defenders
Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England)
Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England)
Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England)
Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France)
Zaidu Sanusi (Porto, Portugal)
Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Midfielders
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England)
Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England)
Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey)
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium)
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy)
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, Italy)
Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)
Assiduously
Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain)
Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England)
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)
Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos, Greece)
Salim Fago Lawal (Istra 1961, Croatia)