AFCON 2025: Chelle Must Cut Squad to 28

The Nigeria Super Eagles are ramping up preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Head coach Eric Chelle must now trim his extensive 54-man provisional squad to a final 28-player roster.

The final team will be a mix of experienced internationals, key players returning from injury, and talented debutantes. Competition for the limited 28 spots is intense, as per CAF regulations. The tournament is scheduled to kick off on December 21.

Squad Challenges and Disruptions

Coach Chelle’s preparations have already hit major hurdles. Star player Benjamin Fredrick is out with an injury. Furthermore, veteran captain William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from international football shortly after the provisional list came out.

Consequently, Chelle must now fill key defensive and leadership gaps. He also needs to maintain overall squad balance. The coming days will be a rigorous test for the hopefuls. Only those demonstrating consistent quality, peak fitness, and tactical readiness will earn a final spot.

Seven Key Contenders Eyeing Final AFCON Spots

Beyond the core team members, several players are showing strong form and versatility. They are now considered strong candidates for the final squad:

1. Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England) Aina has been a pivotal figure for Nigeria since 2017, earning 48 caps. The full-back recently missed over 100 days due to a hamstring injury. Despite his club manager stating he is still unavailable, Chelle included Aina in the provisional squad. This reflects confidence in his recovery and his value to the defense. Aina offers pace, defensive intelligence, and strong support for attacks from the flanks.

2. Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey) Onuachu has completely rediscovered his scoring form. The 30-year-old striker leads all Nigerian players in Europe’s top leagues this season with 11 goals in the Turkish Super Lig.

• His recent form earned him the league’s October MVP award.
• Onuachu’s aerial dominance and physical presence offer a valuable complementary threat to the pace of Victor Osimhen.
• His resurgence makes his inclusion almost indispensable for high-stakes fixtures.

3. Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, Italy) The 20-year-old midfielder is emerging as one of Serie A’s standout young talents. Currently on loan from Inter Milan, Akinsanmiro is praised for his energy and composure.

• In his recent return to action, he completed 28 out of 29 passes in 45 minutes.
• Chelle is monitoring the young star closely, recognizing his technical ability to transition play quickly.

4. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy) Dele-Bashiru plays as a midfielder for Lazio. After recovering from a hamstring injury, he has demonstrated reliable distribution.

• He maintains an impressive 92 percent passing accuracy overall.
• His reliable distribution will add critical tactical depth to the midfield.

5. Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) Tella has successfully rejoined Bayer Leverkusen’s squad after missing several months with a knee bruise.

• He has delivered one assist and created one big chance this season.
• Tella provides excellent transitional play and versatility, averaging 0.7 successful dribbles per match.
• His speed and creativity offer Chelle crucial attacking options on the flanks.

6. Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England) The 23-year-old right-back remains uncapped for Nigeria. However, his recent performance is notable.

• Alebiosu has played 18 matches, providing two assists.
• Defensively, he wins 3.8 duels per game.
• His ability to maintain defensive solidity while contributing to attacks makes him a strong option at right-back.

7. Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic) Ogbu’s defensive reliability offers much-needed depth following the captain’s retirement. The center-back has returned strong despite two hamstring injuries.

• He recovers 3.7 balls per game.
• Ogbu dominates aerially with a 70 percent success rate.
• His presence strengthens the defense and provides Chelle with a reliable ball-playing option at the back.