The preliminary squad features key figures such as Captain William Ekong, prolific forward Victor Osimhen, midfield lynchpin Wilfred Ndidi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, underscoring Chelle’s focus on a balanced blend of experience and youth.
Other notable inclusions from Europe and beyond include goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, and Raphael Onyedika, as well as forwards Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses, and Chidera Ejuke.
The provisional squad also gives Nigeria Premier League stars a chance to shine on the continental stage, with players such as Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke earning call-ups.
A final 28-man squad will be selected from this provisional list in the coming days, as the Super Eagles gear up for competitive action ahead of the tournament.
The team is scheduled to arrive in Egypt on Wednesday, December 10, for a pre-tournament training camp, where they are expected to play a series of friendly matches to fine-tune their preparations. AFCON 2025 kicks off on Sunday, December 21, with Nigeria drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
The provisional list spans multiple positions, reflecting Chelle’s strategic approach:
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 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 (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria).
The inclusion of local league talent alongside international stars signals Chelle’s intention to foster competition within the squad while ensuring Nigeria fields a team capable of competing for continental glory.