Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released a 54-man provisional list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), featuring a mix of returning stars, new faces and injury-hit surprises.
Gatekeepers News reports that the squad is anchored by the familiar names who featured in Nigeria’s disappointing 2026 World Cup playoff run, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon.
Other regulars such as Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Frank Onyeka, Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong and Zaidu Sanusi also make the cut.
One of the biggest omissions is Benjamin Fredrick, the 20-year-old defender who was widely praised during the World Cup qualifiers. Fredrick picked up an injury with Denders FC and “will be out till after AFCON.”
In a surprise move, Chelle has included Ola Aina, even though the 29-year-old has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury in September during Nigeria’s game against South Africa. He is expected to be out for more than three months.
Chelle also recalled Victor Boniface, Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu, Taiwo Awoniyi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Francis Uzoho.
There is a first-time opportunity for Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who will be hoping to earn his maiden Super Eagles cap. The squad also features Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players including Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke.
A final list of 28 players will be selected from the provisional squad in the coming days.
The Super Eagles will arrive at their training camp in Egypt on December 10, where they are expected to play friendly matches before AFCON kicks off on December 21. Nigeria is placed in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD (54 PLAYERS) – NIGERIA, AFCON 2025 (MOROCCO)
Goalkeepers:
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).
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, 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); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors).
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirliği SK, Turkey).
Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolves, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic, Scotland); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest); Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Terem Moffi (Nice, France); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos, Greece); Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes); Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic); Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United); Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves); Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium); Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia); Emmanuel Michael (Linzer ASK, Austria).
