Football: Eric Chelle unveils Nigeria’s 54-player preliminary list for Africa Cup of Nations 2025
Chelle announces star-studded Super Eagles’ squad for AFCON
Africa Cup of Nations fever is starting to spread across the continent, and Eric Chelle has now become the latest head coach to reveal the shortlist of players that will head to Morocco for the continental showpiece later this month.
After finishing second in the Ivory Coast in the previous edition of the AFCON and failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there is huge pressure for the Super Eagles to do well in this competition. We will be covering all of their matches during the tournament in our football predictions.
Chelle has opted for depth in every position with his extended selection, including six goalkeepers, 13 defenders, 12 midfielders and 23 forwards. He will need to trim his list to a maximum of 28 by the December 15 deadline for final squad submissions.
Among the biggest names included in the 54-player list are Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen, Premier League stars Samuel Chukweze and Alex Iwobi, as well as 2024 Africa Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman.
Notably, Super Eagles regular skipper William Troost-Ekong has also made the cut, dispelling widespread reports suggesting he had announced his international retirement following the team’s World Cup qualification heartbreak.
Former first-choice shot-stopper Francis Uzoho and brothers Tom and Fisayo Dele-Basiru have earned provisional recalls, while Adekunle Adeleke, Chisom Orji, Ekeson Okorie, Abdulrasheed Shehu and Ebenezer Harcourt make up the locally-based contingent.
Nigeria’s preliminary 54-man squad for AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Francis Uzoho, Ebenezer Harcourt, Stanley Nwabali, Adebayo Adeleye
Defenders: Felix Agu, Zaidu Sanusi, William Troost-Ekong, Ajayi Oluwasemilogo, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Igoh Ogbu, Ryan Alebiosu, Adeleke Adenkunle, Emmanuel Michael
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Alex Iwobi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Christantus Uche, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Tochukwu Nnadi, Usman Muhammed, Peter Agba, Tom Dele-Bashiru
Attackers: Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Adams Akor, Chidera Ejuke, Olakunle Olusegun, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Abdulrraheed Shehu, Rafiu Durosinmi, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, Philip Otele, Ikwuemesi Chukwubuikem, Salim Fago
