Nigeria’s Super Eagles are gearing up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, and the pressure is on as head coach Eric Chelle prepares to narrow down a 54-man provisional squad to a final selection of 28 players. This final list will be a carefully curated mix of seasoned international players, returning faces, and potential debutants, all vying for a coveted spot as the tournament’s opening match on December 21st draws near.
However, preparations have already faced setbacks. The promising young talent, Benjamin Fredrick, has been sidelined due to injury, and a significant blow came with captain William Troost-Ekong’s announcement of his retirement from international football shortly after the provisional squad was revealed. Coach Chelle now faces the challenging task of filling these crucial positions while preserving the overall balance of the team.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations stipulate that national teams can submit squads ranging from 24 to 28 players for the tournament, with the inclusion of four optional players. This framework intensifies the competition for places, especially for those seeking their first international call-up or returning after periods of injury. The upcoming days will be a crucial period for the hopefuls, with only those demonstrating consistent high performance, peak fitness, and tactical acumen likely to secure their place in the final AFCON squad.
Here’s a closer look at seven players who have a strong chance of representing the Super Eagles in Morocco:
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Aina has been a consistent presence for Nigeria since his debut in 2017, accumulating 48 caps. The Nottingham Forest full-back experienced a setback with a hamstring injury sustained during the World Cup qualifier against South Africa in September, resulting in over 100 days on the sidelines. This injury caused him to miss 24 club games and four international matches.
Despite this period of inactivity leading up to January, Chelle included Aina in the provisional squad, demonstrating faith in his recovery and his ability to anchor Nigeria’s defense in Morocco. Aina is known for his speed, tactical awareness, and ability to contribute to attacks from the flanks. His inclusion provides both experience and tactical versatility. The launch of his special edition boots for AFCON further underscores his commitment to a strong performance at the tournament, despite initial concerns raised by his club coach regarding his availability.
Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
Onuachu has experienced a resurgence in form after a difficult spell at Southampton. The 30-year-old striker is currently the leading Nigerian goalscorer in Europe’s top leagues this season, with an impressive 11 goals in the Turkish Super Lig.
His outstanding performances have earned him the league’s Player of the Month award for October and multiple Goal of the Month accolades. Onuachu’s return provides Nigeria with a strong physical presence in attack, effectively complementing Victor Osimhen’s speed and agility. His aerial prowess, consistent goal-scoring record, and ability to hold up play make him a valuable option, particularly as Nigeria looks to diversify its attacking strategies in crucial matches. Having last played for the national team in June 2024, his strong performances in Turkey make his inclusion in the AFCON squad seem almost essential.
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, Italy)
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of Serie B’s most promising young talents this season, earning recognition for his energy, composure, and creative play.
On loan from Inter Milan, Akinsanmiro has delivered impressive performances for Pisa, including a Man of the Match display against Fiorentina and a crucial assist in a draw against AC Milan, before he was sidelined due to injury. He recently returned to action against Parma, winning three of five duels, completing 28 of 29 passes in 45 minutes. Chelle has been closely monitoring Akinsanmiro, recognizing his technical abilities and his capacity to quickly transition play, qualities that could be decisive against defensively organized opponents in Morocco.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy)
The 24-year-old Dele-Bashiru plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Lazio. After a hamstring injury sidelined him for 54 days earlier in the season, he has made six appearances, starting four, and averaging 42 minutes per game.
He maintains 92 per cent passing accuracy overall, 98 per cent in his own half, and 87 per cent in the opposition half. Dele-Bashiru has also completed 0.3 long balls per game with 67 per cent accuracy and 0.2 accurate chip passes per game at 100 per cent efficiency. His ability to maintain possession and distribute the ball effectively could add tactical depth to Chelle’s midfield options, offering both defensive stability and attacking support.
Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
Tella has been gradually reintegrated into Leverkusen’s squad following a knee bruise that kept him out from mid-September to mid-November. This season, he has made six league appearances, starting three, and averaging 50 minutes per game.
Tella has delivered one assist, created one big chance, and averages 1.0 key passes per game. He completes 0.7 successful dribbles per match and wins 3.2 duels on average, including 2.5 ground duels and 0.7 aerial duels. His transitional play and versatility could provide Chelle with width and creativity in attack.
Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Alebiosu, 23, is a right back who remains uncapped for Nigeria. This season he has played 18 matches, starting all, averaging 85 minutes per game, and accumulating 1,538 total minutes.
He has provided two assists and contributed six big chances, completing 81 per cent of his passes and 1.1 crosses per game. Defensively, Alebiosu wins 3.8 duels per game and recovers possession 3.1 times on average. His ability to maintain defensive solidity while supporting attacks provides Chelle with an athletic and technically competent option at right back.
Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Ogbu, who was previously called up for the 2025 Unity Cup, has been hindered by two hamstring injuries this season, missing 15 games during the second spell.
Since returning, he has appeared in six matches, starting five, and averages 54 minutes per game. Ogbu recovers 3.7 balls per game, wins 4.3 duels (59 per cent success rate), and dominates aerially with a 70 per cent success rate. He also averages 4.2 clearances per match and maintains 83per cent passing accuracy. His presence strengthens Nigeria’s defensive depth in the absence of Troost-Ekong and Fredrick and also offers Chelle a reliable, ball-playing centre-back option.
