Nigeria has released a star-studded 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, featuring a formidable lineup of nine forwards headlined by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, both former CAF Player of the Year winners.
The Super Eagles will kick off their AFCON campaign in Group C, opening against Tanzania on December 23, before facing Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 30. Group winners and runners-up will progress automatically, while the four best third-placed teams across all six groups will also advance to the round of 16.
Nigeria and Tunisia remain clear favourites for the top two spots, with Tanzania and Uganda expected to fight for third place and a possible qualification slot.
Osimhen, playing in Turkey, claimed the African Player of the Year award in 2023, with Lookman of Atalanta succeeding him in the following year. Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi won the honour most recently.
Coach Eric Chelle, born in Ivory Coast, opted for a heavily attacking roster, selecting nine forwards alongside three goalkeepers, eight defenders, and eight midfielders. Notably missing from the list are Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen and new Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare.
Premier League side Fulham contribute three players to the squad: defender Calvin Bassey, midfielder Alex Iwobi, and striker Samuel Chukwueze, currently on loan from AC Milan. Chukwueze recently impressed with a brace in a thrilling 5–4 defeat to Manchester City.
Despite injury concerns, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from Chippa United in South Africa makes the list as Chelle banks on his recovery.
Nigeria are three-time AFCON champions, last lifting the trophy in 2013 after defeating Burkina Faso in Johannesburg. They finished as runners-up in the previous edition, losing to hosts Ivory Coast.
As part of their preparations, the Super Eagles will face Egypt in a warm-up clash on December 16 in Cairo before traveling to Fes, the Moroccan city hosting all their group matches.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Francis Uzoho
Defenders:
Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, Ryan Alebiosu
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Tochukwu Nnadi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Usman Muhammed
Forwards:
Chidera Ejuke, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Cyriel Dessers, Salim Fago Lawal
About the Author
