Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a provisional squad of fifty five players for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to hold in Morocco. The announcement marks a major step in Nigeria’s preparations for the thirty fifth edition of the tournament as the team begins the final phase of its build up.

The list includes several established names who have formed the core of the national team in recent years. Captain William Troost Ekong, striker Victor Osimhen, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and first choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali all feature prominently. They are joined by other key players such as Maduka Okoye, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke.

Chelle has also extended opportunities to standout performers from the Nigeria Premier Football League. Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji and Adekunle Adeleke are among the home based players included as part of the project to widen the national team pool.

The provisional squad contains several new faces as well. Ryan Alebiosu, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Usman Muhammed, Peter Agba, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi, Philip Otele, Salim Fago Lawal and Emmanuel Michael have been given the chance to compete for places. Their call ups reflect Chelle’s intention to refresh the team and expand tactical options ahead of the competition.

There are notable returns as well. Francis Uzoho, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella and Igoh Ogbu are back in the squad after periods away from national team duty.

Chelle is expected to prune the list to a final squad of twenty eight players in the coming days. The final selection will be based on form, fitness and ability to execute the tactical plan Nigeria intends to take into the tournament.

The Super Eagles will open their pre tournament camp in Egypt on Wednesday 10 December. The team is scheduled to play friendly matches before travelling to Morocco for the competition which begins on Sunday 21 December. Nigeria will compete in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.

54 PLAYERS IN PROVISIONAL LIST OF NIGERIA FOR 35TH AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS MOROCCO 2025

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos);

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); 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); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors);

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes); Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic); Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United); Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves); Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium); Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961 (Croatia); Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria)