Head Coach Eric Chelle has announced a preliminary 55-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, scheduled to be held in Morocco.
The list features a strong blend of established European stars and emerging talents, including several players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The provisional selection includes key figures such as Captain William Ekong, reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen, midfield linchpins Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and standout goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Other prominent names include Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Key Details and Preparation Timeline
According to an official statement released by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, Coach Chelle is mandated to reduce the squad to a final 28 players in the coming days, ahead of the continental showpiece.
The Super Eagles’ preparation schedule is as follows:
- Camp Opening: Wednesday, December 10, in Egypt.
- Pre-Tournament Fixtures: The team will engage in a series of friendly matches during their training camp.
- Tournament Start: Sunday, December 21, in Morocco.
- Group Stage: Nigeria has been drawn into Group C, where they will face Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
NPFL Inclusions
Highlighting the coach’s commitment to local talent, the squad includes NPFL players like Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke.
