Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has finalized the selection of 25 players as Nigeria aims to secure their fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Cote d’Ivoire. The squad, comprising three goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders, and eight forwards, sees the return of Captain Ahmed Musa, who was initially excluded from the starting games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.
Among the selected players are South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili, alongside Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo. Kenneth Omeruo, a star from the 2009 U17 World Cup, leads the defensive lineup alongside William Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Bruno Onyemaechi.
The midfield will be bolstered by the return of Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the World Cup qualifying matches, along with Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Joe Ayodele-Aribo, and Frank Onyeka. The forward line features Musa, Nigeria’s record goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup, alongside Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface, Sadiq Umar, and Ademola Lookman.
The entire squad is set to depart from their respective bases on Tuesday, 2nd January, heading to Abu Dhabi, UAE, for a one-week training camp until Tuesday, 9th January. The team will then return to Lagos on the 9th before flying to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on Wednesday, 10th January.
You will also like...
The Super Eagles will kick off their AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, 14th January, followed by matches against the host nation Cote d’Ivoire on 18th January and Guinea Bissau on 22nd January. Nigeria, participating in AFCON for the 20th time, previously secured titles in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
Notably, in 1984, when Cote d’Ivoire hosted the finals, a young Nigerian squad led by Stephen Keshi reached the Final but lost to Cameroon in a memorable match at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); William Troost-Ekong (PAOK Salonika, Greece); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
What’s your thought on this story?
