Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced a 54-man provisional squad for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled to take place in Morocco later this month. Okay News reports that the announcement was made on Tuesday through the Nigeria Football Federation platforms.
Among the prominent names are captain William Troost-Ekong, forward Victor Osimhen, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. The list also features established internationals such as Maduka Okoye, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses, and Chidera Ejuke.
Chelle has extended his selection to include home-based talents, reflecting his intent to explore domestic players’ potential. Players such as Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke have been called up for assessment ahead of the tournament.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation, a final squad of 28 players will be confirmed in the coming days. The team is expected to commence a training camp in Egypt on December 10, where they will play warm-up matches before the AFCON 2025 tournament officially kicks off on December 21.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, positioning the Super Eagles for a competitive campaign in Morocco.
Provisional Squad Breakdown:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos).
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England), Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors).
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, United States), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel), Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey).
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain), Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England), Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey), Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France), Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece), Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes), Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic), Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United), Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves), Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium), Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland), Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia), Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria).
