Sports
AFCON 2025: Nigeria unveils star-studded 55-Man squad as camp opens Dec 10 in Cairo ( Full List )
The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the Super Eagles will open camp in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, ahead of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The development comes as head coach Eric Sékou Chelle released a provisional 55-man list for the continental showpiece, featuring a robust mix of established stars and rising home-based talents.
The provisional squad includes captain William Ekong, prolific striker Victor Osimhen, midfield general Wilfred Ndidi and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, all of whom played key roles during Nigeria’s qualification campaign.
Also included are Maduka Okoye, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses and Chidera Ejuke.
In a notable boost for domestic football, Chelle has listed standout Nigeria Premier Football League players such as Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji and Adekunle Adeleke, a move widely interpreted as a fresh signal that the new technical crew is ready to give home-based players a fair chance.
According to the NFF, the provisional list will be trimmed to a final 28-man squad in the coming days.
Those selected will report to camp in Cairo on December 10, where they are expected to play friendly matches before the tournament kicks off on December 21.
Nigeria will compete in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in what analysts expect to be a competitive group stage. With three AFCON titles already in their cabinet, the Super Eagles will be aiming to clinch a fourth.
The full provisional squad includes six goalkeepers, twelve defenders, eleven midfielders and twenty-six forwards, underscoring Chelle’s intention to explore depth and competition across all departments.
This year’s AFCON marks the beginning of a new chapter for Nigerian football under Eric Sékou Chelle, the Malian tactician appointed to replace José Peseiro. Chelle faces the immediate task of blending a large pool of players and embedding his tactical philosophy within a short preparation period.
Expectations remain high, as Nigerian supporters will accept nothing less than a formidable showing in Morocco.
The 35th Africa Cup of Nations will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
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