AFCON 2025: Chelle names Osimhen, Lookman, others in 55-man provisional squad

Abdullateef Fowewe

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced a 55-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to kick off in Morocco on December 21, 2025.

The provisional list is headlined by key players such as captain William Troost-Ekong, star forward Victor Osimhen, midfield powerhouse Wilfred Ndidi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The squad features a blend of experienced internationals and promising local talents, including several standout players from the Nigeria Premier Football League like Abdulrasheed Shehu and Ebenezer Harcourt.

Chelle’s list also includes notable names such as Maduka Okoye, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze among others.

The team is set to begin preparations with a training camp opening in Egypt on December 10, where they will engage in friendly matches ahead of the continental tournament.

Chelle noted the importance of the squad by saying the AFCON is “a chance to rebuild confidence, restore pride, and show that the Super Eagles can still compete at the highest level.”

A final squad of 28 players will be selected in the coming days.

Nigeria, drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, aims to make a strong challenge for the title in Morocco.

The provisional squad allocation includes six goalkeepers, thirteen defenders, twelve midfielders, and twenty-three forwards, underscoring Chelle’s strategic approach to balance depth and versatility as the team gears up for the championship.

Full list

Goalkeepers
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
– Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
– Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
– Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece)
– Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
– Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)

Defenders
– William Troost-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