AFCON 2025: Nigeria’s provisional squad, with Osimhen and Iwobi
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a large provisional squad mixing established players and new faces, as the Super Eagles enter the final stretch ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Victor Osimhen@africatopsports
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle announced on Tuesday his provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations via the Super Eagles’ official X account. It’s a particularly large preliminary selection, featuring the usual senior players as well as a significant number of players based in Europe.
In attack, Chelle can rely on an impressive contingent including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Tolu Arokodare, all named to lead the forward line. In goal, regulars Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali are present, joined by several competitors eager to shake up the pecking order.
The midfield rests on reliable options such as Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, while the defence brings together an experienced spine including William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will begin at the end of December and conclude in January 2026.
Preliminary Super Eagles squad
Goalkeepers :
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy), Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece), Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos).
Defenders :
William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn, England), Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors).
Midfielders :
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Bruges, Belgium), Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, Italy), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel), Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi, Turkey).