Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named his final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with Francis Uzoho and Paul Onuachu returning to the fold, Afrosport reports.
Chelle’s squad, unveiled on Thursday, features three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and nine forwards ahead of the tournament set to take place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
Some familiar names have been omitted, including Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Germany-based forward Victor Boniface and Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare, as Chelle opts for a refreshed group.
There are several first-time call-ups, with Blackburn Rovers full-back Ryan Alebiosu and Inter Milan talent Ebenezer Akinsanmiro named to the squad.
Slavia Prague defender Igoh Ogbu strengthens the backline alongside Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi, while Fulham’s Calvin Bassey also returns for what will be his second AFCON appearance.
The Super Eagles will be without William Troost-Ekong, who recently announced his retirement from international duty as well as Ola Aina, with the Nottingham Forest full-back still recovering from an ankle injury.
The midfield sees youthful Israel-based Usman Muhammed and former Flying Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi. They join experienced figures including Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Raphael Onyedika.
In attack, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Cyriel Dessers all made the cut. Ex-Flying Eagles striker Lawal Salim Fago earns his maiden senior invitation, while Onuachu receives his first call-up under Chelle after an impressive run of form in Turkey, where he leads the scoring chart in the Super Lig with 11 goals.
Uzoho, meanwhile, returns to the national team fold for the first time since March 2024. He will fight for a spot alongside Stanley Nwabali, whose appearance at the tournament remains doubtful due to fitness concerns, and Amas Obasogie.
The Super Eagles squad for #AFCON2025 is set.
Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and 26 others will fly the flag in Morocco under Eric Chelle.
Naija, let’s go again. 🦅🇳🇬#Naija4TheWin #LetsDoItAgain pic.twitter.com/eKR3IHOii6
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) December 11, 2025
Nigeria are drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda. The Super Eagles will begin their campaign against Tanzania on 23 December at the Complexe Sportif de Fes.
The three-time African champions are scheduled to face Tunisia four days later before taking on Uganda Cranes on 31 December.
The Super Eagles will hold a pre-tournament camp in Egypt and are set to play an unofficial friendly against the Pharaohs on 16 December.
Nigeria, runners-up in the last edition in Ivory Coast, are eyeing a fourth continental title, having last won the tournament in 2013.
Full Super Eagles 28-man squad for AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders: 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); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia)
