Chelle Names 55-Man Provisional Squad as New CAF Rule Shapes AFCON Plans

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has submitted a 55-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, marking Nigeria’s first major step toward next month’s tournament in Morocco. The expanded list comes as CAF’s new squad regulations are set to influence final team selections.

Team officials confirmed that the Eagles’ training camp will open on December 8 in Morocco, but the squad will be trimmed to between 24 and 27 players before then. The tournament begins on December 21 and ends on January 18, 2026. While most names are familiar faces from Chelle’s tenure, a few relatively unknown players have been included after being “quietly monitored for months” and seen as long-term prospects.

Chelle, still focused on improving Nigeria’s runner-up finish at the last AFCON, has stressed the importance of depth, versatility and “psychological resilience”… qualities he hopes the larger list will reveal.

CAF’s new rule now allows teams to register up to 27 players, though only 23 will be fully funded. Federations must cover costs for any additional four players. The adjustment aims to help coaches handle injuries and tactical demands while balancing financial realities. With Nigeria seeking its first title since 2013, attention is firmly on Chelle’s final squad choices.