Ahead of the commencement of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on December 21 in Morocco, the Nigeria Football Federation has released a 28-man squad list purportedly picked by head coach Eric Chelle to prosecute Nigeria’s campaign.

In light of the captain William Troost-Ekong’s last-minute retirement, senior figures like Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi headline the squad list. The biggest talking point lies in goal, where the injured Stanley Nwabali is listed, while Maduka Okoye, the only Europe-based Nigerian goalkeeper, is conspicuously absent. In his place, Francis Uzoho, who has been away from the squad for over a year and is yet to be called by Chelle, returns to the team.

Nine players, namely Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Muhammad Usman, Amas Obasogie, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi, Cyriel Dessers, Akor Adams and Salim Fago, were picked by Chelle to feature in their first-ever AFCON. Meanwhile, recent regular faces in Alhassan Yusuf and Tolu Arokodare were overlooked. 

Nigeria’s campaign begins on December 23 against Tanzania, followed by matches against other Group C opponents: Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 30. 

Below is Nieria’s full 28-man squad for AFCON 2025.

Goalkeepers

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus).

Defenders

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); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England).

Midfielders

Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Tochukwu Nnadi (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium).

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); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece).