Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has dropped a bombshell with his final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco (December 21, 2025–January 18, 2026), recalling Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu while cutting Maduka Okoye and Tolu Arokodare.
The squad blends experience with fresh talent: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and nine forwards.
Uzoho, absent since March 2024, rejoins Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali (fitness pending) and Singida Black Stars’ Amas Obasogie in goal.
Defence gets a boost with Blackburn Rovers’ Ryan Alebiosu earning his debut call-up alongside Slavia Prague’s Igoh Ogbu. Fulham’s Calvin Bassey returns for his second AFCON, linking up with Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Porto’s Zaidu Sanusi.
Midfield features a solid core of Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Raphael Onyedika, reinforced by newcomers like Inter Milan’s Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (a Remo Stars Academy product), Israel’s Usman Muhammed, and ex-Flying Eagles star Tochukwu Nnadi.
Attack is loaded, led by Victor Osimhen and backed by Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Sevilla duo Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke, Panathinaikos’ Cyriel Dessers, and Onuachu, who earns his first nod under Chelle after a hot streak in Turkey.
Croatia’s Lawal Salim Fago adds firepower as the new forward face.
In Group C, Nigeria faces Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Build-up includes a camp in Egypt and an unofficial friendly against the Pharaohs on December 16. Group openers: Nigeria vs. Tanzania (December 23, Fès), then Tunisia (December 27, Fès) and Uganda (December 31, Fès).
Fresh off their runner-up finish at the last AFCON (2-1 loss to hosts Ivory Coast), the Super Eagles chase a fourth title after triumphs in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
0 comments:
Post a Comment