Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released a 54-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, setting up fierce competition for places in the final 28-man list.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced the squad on Tuesday, highlighting a blend of trusted regulars and new faces as Chelle looks to strengthen the core of the team while assessing emerging talents from the domestic league and overseas clubs.
Captain William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali headline the call-up and are expected to form the spine of a side widely seen as strong contenders for the title.
Other established internationals named include Maduka Okoye, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke, all of whom are viewed as near-certainties for the final squad.
Chelle has also given opportunities to several home-based players such as Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji and Adekunle Adeleke, who will battle to convince the coaching crew that they deserve a place in Morocco.
The provisional list underlines a clear divide between a core group of near-guaranteed selections and a larger group of hopefuls fighting for the remaining slots, particularly in positions where depth and recent form are still being tested.
Many of those who featured in Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifying play-off squad – now trimmed to 23 players after Benjamin Fredrick’s injury – remain central to Chelle’s plan, while the return of Ola Aina from injury further boosts the defensive unit.
For the rest of the squad, competition is intense across all departments. Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Adebayo Adeleye and Ebenezer Harcourt must impress to challenge the current first choices, while defenders such as Igoh Ogbu, Felix Agu and Ryan Alebiosu need to show reliability and tactical discipline.
In midfield, Christantus Uche, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Tom Dele-Bashiru and others are jostling for limited spaces behind established names like Ndidi, Iwobi and Onyedika, with their ability to fit into Chelle’s style under close review.
The forward line is even more competitive, with in-form strikers Paul Onuachu, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface, Terem Moffi, Nathan Tella and Cyriel Dessers all pushing to join Osimhen and other regulars in the final attacking unit.
Given Nigeria’s history of relying heavily on Osimhen for goals, Chelle faces tough decisions in balancing proven scorers with fresh attacking options to build a front line capable of sustaining pressure throughout the tournament.
The Super Eagles will open camp in Egypt on December 10, ahead of a friendly match against the Pharaohs at the Cairo Stadium on December 14, before the AFCON kicks off on December 21.
Nigeria will compete in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, as they target a fourth continental crown.
CAF regulations require teams to submit a final list of 24 to 28 players by December 11, with up to four additional players allowed as optional reserves at the federation’s discretion.
In the coming days, only players who show consistency, fitness and quality in training and warm-up games will join the core stalwarts expected to lead Nigeria’s campaign in Morocco.
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