AFCON 2025: Iheanacho, Okoye out as Chelle names final 28-man Super Eagles squad

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Wilfred Ndidi in Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) billed for Morocco.

The squad also features Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi and Frank Onyeka.

According to a list released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday night, notably missing, however, are Kelechi Iheanacho and Maduka Okoye, who have been left out of the tournament kicking off in Morocco in 10 days.

Read Also: Chelle names 54-man Super Eagles provisional squad for AFCON 2025

Chelle also handed spots to defenders Chidozie Awaziem and Bright Osayi-Samuel; midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika; and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon, among others.

There are returns for Cyprus-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defender Igoh Ogbu, and forward Paul Onuachu.

New faces in the squad include England-based defender Ryan Alebiosu; midfielders Usman Muhammed (Israel), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Italy), and Tochukwu Nnadi (Belgium); and Croatia-based forward Salim Fago Lawal, all receiving their first senior call-ups.

The Super Eagles will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly match at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday, 16 December, before departing Cairo for Fès, their Group C base, two days later.

Nigeria, three-time African champions, will begin their AFCON campaign against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on December 23, followed by group fixtures against Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27 and Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.

Super Eagles 28-Man Squad

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, 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)