Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled a 55-man provisional squad for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Morocco next month, with captain William Troost-Ekong and star striker Victor Osimhen among the headline selections.
The list, released on Monday, features a blend of established internationals, returning stars and emerging home-based talents as Chelle begins shaping a squad capable of challenging for Nigeria’s fourth continental title.
Also included are midfield anchors Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, creative midfielder Alex Iwobi, and safe hands Stanley Nwabali, who impressed at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast. Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, and Francis Uzoho also made the cut.
The defensive roster is dominated by Europe-based regulars such as Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi and Oluwamayowa Aina, along with standout NPFL defender Adekunle Adeleke of Abia Warriors.
In midfield, Chelle has named a mix of experience and youth, including Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro.
The attack is stacked with firepower as expected, with Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, andChidera Ejuke among the notable inclusions. Rising domestic league forwards Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Emmanuel Michael also make surprise appearances.
Chelle is expected to prune the squad down to 28 players “in a matter of days,” as preparations intensify for Nigeria’s campaign.
The Super Eagles will open camp in Egypt on Wednesday, 10 December, where they will play a series of friendly matches before heading to Morocco. The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 21 December.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda, setting up an intriguing set of fixtures in the early rounds.
Below is the full provisional squad released for AFCON Morocco 2025:
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)
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