The Super Eagles’ build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations gained momentum yesterday as the Nigeria Football Federation released a provisional list featuring 55 players expected to battle for places ahead of the championship in Morocco.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong, who recently hinted he may be nearing the end of his international career, is included in the expanded squad.
Star forward Victor Osimhen, vice captain Wilfred Ndidi and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also made the list put together by head coach Eric Chelle.
The squad features a blend of established names and emerging domestic talents. Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie and Francis Uzoho return, while defenders such as Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi headline the backline options.
Midfield choices include Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Frank Onyeka and the Dele-Bashiru brothers. In attack, Osimhen is joined by Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.
The News Chronicle gathered that, to handle doubts about player availability ahead of the friendly against Egypt on December 14, coach Eric Chelle has gathered a list larger than normal.
Under FIFA rules, clubs throughout Europe are allegedly pressing to hold onto their players till December 15, which might leave the Eagles without several of their best players for the warm-up match.
Before December 10, when the team flies for its training camp in Egypt, the whole squad will be cut to 28. Nigeria, grouped with Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda in Group C, will launch its AFCON campaign on December 21.
The NFF says the training camp will include at least two friendly games before the squad leaves for Morocco.
Many Europe-based players will only join after league obligations on December 14 and 15, maybe missing up to six club games should the Eagles move to the championship on January 17.
