Iheanacho, Aina, Onuachu Make Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON Provisional Squad

The Nigeria Football Federation has released a 54-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with several returning stars, new faces, and a few injury-affected players making the list. Head coach Eric Chelle has called up six goalkeepers, thirteen defenders, twelve midfielders and twenty-three forwards as he begins preparations for the tournament in Morocco.

Werder Bremen defender Felix Agu has been named in the squad, but he will not feature at AFCON as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Arsenal academy product Ryan Alebiosu is also included and is among the uncapped players hoping to earn a late call-up.

Some key senior players with recent fitness issues have been listed, including Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Nottingham Forest duo Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi. They join a fit-again group of Igoh Ogbu, Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella, all of whom have returned to action in time for consideration. Major squad leaders such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and 2023 AFCON MVP William Troost-Ekong also feature prominently.

Nigeria has strong Premier League representation this year. Crystal Palace midfielder Christantus Uche, Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare, Fulham pair Samuel Chukwueze and Calvin Bassey, and Brentford’s Frank Onyeka are all listed. Home-based talents have not been overlooked, with NPFL players Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji and Adekunle Adeleke making the provisional cut.

A final 28-man squad will be selected from the list in the coming days. The Super Eagles will begin a training camp in Egypt on Wednesday, December 10, as they intensify preparation for the competition. Nigeria has been drawn in Group C, where they will face Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.

Super Eagles’ Provisional AFCON Squad

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, Francis Uzoho, Ebenezer Harcourt.

Defenders: William Ekong, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, Felix Agu, Ryan Alebiosu, Adekunle Adeleke.

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Christantus Uche, Tochukwu Nnadi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Usman Muhammed, Peter Agba, Tom Dele-Bashiru.

Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Chidera Ejuke, Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, Olakunle Olusegun, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Abdulrasheed Shehu, Rafiu Durosinmi, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi, Philip Otele, Salim Fago Lawal, Emmanuel Michael.