Nigeria announce squad for AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September 2024

The Super Eagles were runners-up in the last AFCON.

Nigeria have announced their squad for the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers and star striker Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have been included.

Lookman and Osimhen, who are reportedly in talks to leave their Italian clubs, were both picked up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Rwanda and Benin in September.

Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi, and William Ekong were also called back as the Super Eagles boast an embarrassment of riches in their attacking lineup.

On September 7, Nigeria will play their first game against Benin in Uyo to begin their 2025 Africa Cup qualification campaign. Three days later, they take a plane to Rwanda for their second match.

Lookman, a rumoured target for Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, played for Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup last month. Osimhen, 25, has yet to appear in an official match for Napoli as his move from the Serie A team hangs.

The Serie A team is eager to sell him but no club has shown any intention to meet Napoli’s massive release clause, though Saudi team Al Ahli have been in talks with the striker to sign him before the end of the transfer window.

A number of players who were not involved in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin have also received recalls from the Eagles.

Those involved include Ekong, the injured Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest, Moses Simon, a winger for Nantes, and Bruno Onyemaechi, a defender based in Portugal.

Nigeria squad ahead of AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United/RSA), Maduka Okoye (Udinese/ITA), Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood/KSA), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce/TUR), Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates/RSA), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista/POR), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Calvin Bassey (Fulham/ENG), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest/ENG)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City/ENG), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge/BEL), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution/USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio/ITA), Frank Onyeka (Brentford/ENG); Alex Iwobi (Fulham/ENG)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan/ITA), Victor Osimhen (Napoli/ITA), Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla/ESP), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Moses Simon (Nantes/FRA), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/ITA), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest/ENG)

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