Ahead of Nigeria’s crucial AFCON 2025 qualifying matches, Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen has revealed the full squad, bringing together a mix of experienced international players and promising new talent to secure Nigeria’s place in the tournament. The team, led by Captain William Ekong, includes prominent players like Victor Osimhen, named Africa’s Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman of Atalanta, and skilled winger Moses Simon, with the squad seeking two vital wins to seal their spot in the final competition.
The 23-man squad features goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali, currently with Chippa United in South Africa, and Maduka Okoye from Udinese FC in Italy. Defenders called up include England-based Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina, Turkey’s Bright Osayi-Samuel, Portugal’s Bruno Onyemaechi, and Victor Collins from Nasarawa United, a home-based addition making his first appearance for the Super Eagles. French club AJ Auxerre’s Gabriel Osho will also be aiming to make his competitive debut for Nigeria after an injury prevented his participation in previous matches.
Nigeria’s midfield brings a robust mix of talents, with Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City, Frank Onyeka from Augsburg FC in Germany, Raphael Onyedika of Belgium’s Club Brugge, and Alex Iwobi from Fulham FC. New England Revolution’s Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru add further depth to the midfield, complementing Nigeria’s established lineup.
In the forward line, Victor Osimhen leads a formidable attack alongside AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, Sevilla’s Kelechi Iheanacho, and Ademola Lookman. Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen, Moses Simon from Nantes, and Real Sociedad’s Sadiq Umar, who makes his return to the team, complete the offensive lineup.
The Super Eagles will first head to Abidjan for their November 14 match against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs, set at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny. They will then travel back to Nigeria to face Rwanda’s Amavubi at Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio Stadium on November 18. Leading Group D, Nigeria only requires one point against Benin Republic to clinch qualification, thanks to their current standing of seven goals for and none against. Rwanda, meanwhile, holds five points and has a single goal deficit, making these final games critical.
In addition to their qualification goals, the Super Eagles aim to build a strong foundation for future tournaments by nurturing talent and fostering team cohesion. The squad selection reflects a strategy that balances seasoned players with fresh talent, and Coach Eguavoen has expressed confidence that the squad’s depth will prove crucial in the qualifiers.
Below is the complete squad list:
Goalkeepers:
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
– Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
– Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)
Defenders:
– William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia)
– Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey)
– Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)
– Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France)
– Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
– Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
– Victor Collins (Nasarawa United, Nigeria)
Midfielders:
– Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
– Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
– Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA)
– Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy)
– Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany)
– Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards:
– Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
– Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
– Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
– Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain)
– Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
– Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
– Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)
With the AFCON 2025 qualification within reach, Coach Eguavoen and his squad are poised to carry Nigeria to victory, continuing a legacy of resilience and skill on the African football stage.
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