Nigeria announce final squad for AFCON 2025; Victor Osimhen included

The Super Eagles are among the favourites to win the competition.

Nigeria reduced their 54-man preliminary Africa Cup of Nations roster to a final 28, with Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Tolu Arokodare and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye being the unexpected omissions.

In their place, coach Eric Sékou Chelle has picked up previously unpopular 2018 FIFA World Cup goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and Samsunspor forward Paul Onuachu, who has also faced criticism for his lack of goals for Nigeria. However, Onuachu has been rewarded for a successful season in which he has scored 11 goals from 15 games.

Five previously uncapped players, including Ryan Alebiosu of Blackburn Rovers, are joining them. The defender, who just defected from England to Nigeria, has been rewarded with his first-ever spot on a senior tournament roster. He is expected to cover for the injured emerging sensation Benjamin Fredricks.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro of the Italian team Pisa, Salim Fago of the Croatian team NK Istra, Usman Muhammad of the Israeli team Ironi Tiberius, and Tochukwu Nnadi of the Dutch team Zulte Waregem are the other newcomers.

On December 16, Nigeria are scheduled to play a pre-tournament scrimmage at Cairo Stadium against Egypt. Two days later, they will make their way to Fès to play their first Group C match against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on 23 December.

The three-time winners will then play the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on December 27 and the Cranes of Uganda on December 30 in the remaining group round matches.

Also read: Tunisia announce final squad for AFCON 2025

Nigeria announce final squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC); Simon Moses (Paris FC); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961)

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.