Nigeria will hope to bounce back from this disappointment of missing out on a World Cup spot with a strong showing at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria squad for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations: Eric Chelle stacks AFCON Super Eagles roster with attacking talent originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Nigeria boss Eric Chelle has named five uncapped players in his 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles are smarting from crashing out of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Chelle has opted to introduce some fresh blood.
Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu is selected for the first time, with Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina sidelined through injury.
Midfield trio Muhammed Usman, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi, and Croatian-based forward Salim Fago Lawal complete the quintet.
Chelle has plenty of options at his disposal in an attack that will be led by star striker Victor Osimhen.
MORE:Why Eric Chelle was a controversial choice as Nigeria head coach
Nigeria squad for March 2025: Super Eagles list in full
International caps current as of Saturday, December 13, 2025.
| Pos | Name | Club | Caps |
| GK | Stanley Nwabali | Chippa United (RSA) | 27 |
| GK | Amas Obasogie | Singida Blackstars (TAN) | 0 |
| GK | Francis Uzuho | Omonia (CYP) | 30 |
| DEF | Bright Osayi-Samuel | Birmingham City (ENG) | 25 |
| DEF | Semi Ajayi | Hull City (ENG) | 46 |
| DEF | Bruno Onyemaechi | Olympiacos (GRE) | 20 |
| DEF | Calvin Bassey | Fulham (ENG) | 37 |
| DEF | Chidozie Awaziem | Nantes (FRA) | 36 |
| DEF | Zaidu Sanusi | Porto (POR) | 26 |
| DEF | Igoh Ogbu | Slavia Prague (CZE) | 1 |
| DEF | Ryan Alebiosu | Blackburn Rovers (ENG) | 0 |
| MID | Wilfred Ndidi | Besiktas (TUR) | 71 |
| MID | Raphael Onyedika | Club Brugge (BEL) | 17 |
| MID | Alex Iwobi | Fulham (ENG) | 91 |
| MID | Frank Onyeka | Brentford (ENG) | 36 |
| MID | Fisayo Dele-Bashiru | Lazio (ITA) | 9 |
| MID | Ebenezer Akinsanmiro | Pisa (ITA) | 0 |
| MID | Tochukwu Nnadi | Zulte Waregem (BEL) | 0 |
| MID | Muhammed Usman | Ironi Tiberias (ISR) | 0 |
| FWD | Samuel Chukwueze | Fulham (ENG) | 51 |
| FWD | Victor Osimhen | Galatasaray (TUR) | 45 |
| FWD | Ademola Lookman | Atalanta (ITA) | 34 |
| FWD | Akor Adams | Sevilla (SPA) | 4 |
| FWD | Moses Simon | Paris FC (FRA) | 87 |
| FWD | Paul Onuachu | Trabzonspor (TUR) | 24 |
| FWD | Cyriel Dessers | Panathinaikos (GRE) | 10 |
| FWD | Chidera Ejuke | Sevilla (ESP) | 10 |
| FWD | Salim Fago Lawal | Istra 1961 (CRO) | 0 |
Nigeria AFCON schedule
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C at AFCON 2025 alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.
Nigeria AFCON fixtures
- 12/23/25: Nigeria vs. Tanzania (Fez Stadium, Fez)
- 12/27/25: Nigeria vs. Tunisia (Fez Stadium, Fez)
- 12/30/25: Uganda vs. Nigeria (Fez Stadium, Fez)
MORE:All the teams to have qualified so far for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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