Nigeria have officially revealed a powerful 28-man squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with head coach Eric Chelle relying on a superstar attacking line led by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
The Super Eagles, runners-up at the last AFCON, begin their Group C campaign on 23 December against Tanzania, before taking on Tunisia and Uganda, as they aim to secure a place in the knockout phase as early as possible.
Osimhen & Lookman Headline a Fearsome Nigerian Attack
Chelle has stacked his squad with attacking weapons, calling up nine forwards, including:
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
- Samuel Chukwueze
- Moses Simon
- Paul Onuachu
- Cyriel Dessers
- Chidera Ejuke
- Akor Adams
- Salim Fago Lawal
The absence of Bundesliga forward Victor Boniface remains one of the squad’s biggest surprises. New Wolves signing Tolu Arokodare is also missing.
Midfield Balance and Defensive Experience
Nigeria’s midfield features a blend of Premier League experience and rising European talents, such as:
- Alex Iwobi
- Frank Onyeka
- Wilfred Ndidi
- Raphael Onyedika
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Defensively, Chelle retains key figures like Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi, while handing a first AFCON call-up to blossoming full-back Ryan Alebiosu.
Nwabali Included Despite Injury
Star goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been selected even though he is recovering from injury at Chippa United. Nigeria expect him to return during the group stage. He is joined by Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie.
Nigeria Target Fourth AFCON Title
The Super Eagles last won the continental crown in 2013 and reached the 2024 final. With a squad combining experience, explosiveness and tactical maturity, Nigeria enter AFCON 2025 as one of the tournament’s favourites.
Before heading to Morocco, the team will face Egypt on 16 December in their final warm-up match.
Full Nigeria Squad for AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
- Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
- Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus)
Defenders
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England)
- Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England)
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
- Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France)
- Zaidu Sanusi (Porto, Portugal)
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
- Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Midfielders
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England)
- Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England)
- Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium)
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy)
- Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, Italy)
- Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)
Forwards
- Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain)
- Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
- Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England)
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)
- Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
- Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos, Greece)
- Salim Fago Lawal (Istra 1961, Croatia)
