Eric Chelle set to unveil final 28-man roster amid tight deadlines, injuries, and fresh talent injections.

Eric Chelle

As the countdown to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco intensifies, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle faces mounting pressure to finalize his squad. With the tournament kicking off later this month, the clock is ticking louder than ever.

Key Highlights

  • Final Squad Deadline: All qualifying teams must submit their 28-man rosters by Thursday.
  • Provisional List Backlash: The initial 54-man provisional squad has sparked debate, with critics pushing for more debutants to shine on the North African stage.
  • FIFA’s Curveball: A shock decision to slash preparation time to just one week has forced teams, including Nigeria, into rapid rethinking—overhauls typically demand far more lead time.
  • New Faces Incoming: Despite the crunch, Chelle plans to inject four to five fresh players, per a top SCORENigeria source.

Injury Woes and Defensive Shifts

Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina is officially ruled out due to injury, while Bright Osayi-Samuel has seen limited minutes at Birmingham City in the English Championship. These absences open doors elsewhere.

Central defense gets a boost with Slavia Praha’s Igoh Ogbu in pole position for a recall. The defender debuted at the Unity Cup in May, recovered from injury, and steps up amid captain William Ekong’s absence and Benjamin Fredrick’s fitness issues.

Rising Stars Eyeing Morocco Debuts

  • Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers): The Arsenal academy product and right-back is thriving in the Championship—high on Chelle’s new additions list.
  • Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, on loan from Inter Milan): This 21-year-old defensive midfielder has hit top form in Serie A. He’ll vie for spots against veterans Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika. Akinsanmiro represents the future as Nigeria rebuilds post-World Cup qualification heartbreak. Pisa is poised to make his loan permanent.

Attack Gets a ‘Big Paul’ Boost

Up front, Trabzonspor’s Paul Onuachu is primed for a recall. The towering striker leads the Turkish Super Lig with 11 goals this season. With Victor Osimhen carrying much of the attacking load, Onuachu’s club form demands another national team shot. His last Super Eagles appearance? June 2024, after a late call-up to the 2023 AFCON.

Chelle’s squad refresh signals ambition amid chaos. Will these bold moves propel Nigeria to glory in Morocco? Stay tuned—Thursday’s announcement could redefine the Super Eagles’ path.