Chelle to Announce Final Squad Amid Growing Player Concerns.

Super Eagles

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is set to announce Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations today, but the Franco-Malian tactician faces a series of difficult decisions due to injuries to several key players.

The tournament will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Eric Chelle

Chelle previously released a 54-man provisional squad, which now needs to be trimmed to meet the CAF deadline. Among the major doubts is goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Nigeria’s first-choice at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up. Nwabali has been sidelined since the last international break, dealing with both an ankle and a hand injury, leaving him out of Chippa United’s last three matches. Chippa coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi admitted that, while the goalkeeper is determined to recover, his current fitness status makes participation uncertain.

Defensive concerns extend beyond Nwabali. Benjamin Fredrick, a 20-year-old centre-back who has quickly become a key figure for Nigeria, has been ruled out with a knee injury. Ola Aina, dealing with a hamstring issue since September, has returned to training but may struggle to reach match fitness in time. Felix Agu, also listed in the provisional squad, has been out with an ankle injury since October, and Zaidu Sanusi missed Porto’s last league game for unexplained reasons.

Chelle’s other defensive options include Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Igoh Ogbu, Ryan Alebiosu, and Adekunle Adeleke. With multiple key defenders unavailable or under fitness doubts, Chelle may be forced to take calculated risks in defence.

Midfielders appear to be largely fit, giving Chelle some stability, while in attack the only major concern is Kelechi Iheanacho, who has just returned from injury at Celtic. Despite this, Chelle has more flexibility in the forward line than in defence.

Nigeria is drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Preparations include a camp in Egypt, with an unofficial pre-tournament friendly against the Pharaohs scheduled for December 16. The Super Eagles will open their AFCON campaign against Tanzania on December 23 at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Fès. The clash against Tunisia on December 27 is the marquee Group C fixture, while the final round on December 31 will see simultaneous matches: Nigeria vs Uganda in Fès and Tunisia vs Tanzania in Rabat.

The Eagles, runners-up at the last AFCON after losing 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast, are seeking a fourth continental title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994, and 2013. With injuries to key players and crucial selections looming, Chelle faces one of the toughest squad decisions of his tenure as he aims to guide Nigeria to glory in Morocco.