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Super Eagles Load Up: Nigeria Names Explosive Provisional Squad for AFCON
With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco drawing closer, the excitement around Nigeria’s campaign has taken a new turn as Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle rolled out a wide-ranging provisional squad, one that mirrors the country’s immense talent pool and burning ambition.
Chelle’s list reads like a map of Nigerian football excellence: established warriors, revived stars returning for another shot, and fresh faces eager to stamp their identity on the green-white-green.
The announcement marks the start of the final sprint toward AFCON, where every invited player now faces the same challenge: fight for a ticket into the final 28-man squad.
In the goalkeeping corner, the familiar anchors are back. Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye, both enjoying strong club runs, stand tall as early frontrunners for the No. 1 shirt.
Around them, a group of hungry newcomers have been summoned to stake their claim, hoping to give Chelle something to think about during camp.
The defence carries a reassuring blend of leadership and fresh energy. Captain William Troost-Ekong remains the heartbeat of the backline, flanked by solid deputies like Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, and Ola Aina.
Sprinkled among them are new defensive prospects, home and abroad, ready to compete, adapt, and offer the tactical variety the coach has been craving.
Nigeria’s midfield, as expected, brims with personality and depth. Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika form the experienced spine, providing everything from steel and stability to guile and creativity.
Chelle also widened the door for rising midfield profiles who have been catching attention at the club level, ensuring he has the right pieces to adjust the team’s rhythm and structure for different opponents.
Then comes the department every Nigerian fan talks about with pride—the attack. The Super Eagles’ frontline is once again a thing of beauty and fear. Victor Osimhen, the talisman, leads a devastating lineup that includes Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and other dynamic forwards.
Together, they bring pace, unpredictability, and ruthless finishing qualities that will make Nigeria one of the tournament’s most dangerous sides.
As camp opens and competition intensifies, one thing is clear: this provisional squad tells a story of a coach with options and a nation with expectations.
All eyes are now on Chelle as he shapes the final team for Morocco 2025 where the Super Eagles hope to soar again.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle announces his Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad. pic.twitter.com/Y5WNgVIQ4b
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) December 2, 2025