The journey to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco has officially begun for Nigeria, as Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle today, Tuesday, December 2, 2025, announced an expanded 54-man provisional squad for 2025 AFCON.
The 54-man provisional squad for the 2025 AFCON features a mix of star players and surprising new faces.
The core of the squad is anchored by familiar international stars. Leading the charge are former African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, veteran captain William Troost-Ekong, midfield engine Wilfred Ndidi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Other key inclusions, such as another former African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, alongside playmaker Alex Iwobi.
The notable absence from the provisional squad for the 2025 AFCON is Benjamin Fredrick, the 20-year-old defender who was one of the silver linings throughout Nigeria’s disappointing World Cup qualifiers.
Fredrick suffered an injury while playing for Denders FC and will be out till after AFCON.
Ola Aina is one of the surprises inclusions into the squad. The 29-year-old is currently out with a hamstring injury he sustained in September while playing for Nigeria against South Africa. He is expected to be out for over three months.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to arrive at a training camp in Egypt on December 10. The team is expected to play a couple of friendly matches before the tournament begins on December 21.
The Eagles are in Group C of the tournament alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
54 PLAYERS IN PROVISIONAL LIST OF NIGERIA FOR 35TH AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS MOROCCO 2025
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos);
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); 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); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors);
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey)
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); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes); Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic); Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United); Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves); Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium); Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961 (Croatia); Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria)
