The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has until December 10 to submit his final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Interestingly, Chelle only submitted his 50-man provisional squad this week.
By the time he unveiled that list, most countries had already filed their final squads to the Confederation of African Football, CAF.
On Thursday, the captain of the Nigerian national team, William Troost-Ekong, announced his retirement from international football.
Troost-Ekong was included in Chelle’s provisional squad.
“I think the timing is very peculiar, but in general I’m not against it,” Solace Chukwu, author of the upcoming book ‘Elusive: How Enyimba Ended Nigeria’s 39-year Wait for Champions League Glory’, tells DAILY POST.
“Ekong has been on the slide since his heroics at the last AFCON, and as things stand he is Nigeria’s fourth-choice centre-back.
“In that situation, it is not a massive surprise that he would elect to step away.”
Troost-Ekong’s retirement has raised different questions among pundits and fans.
Was he worried about his place in the team? Did it have anything to do with the protest he led before the 2026 World Cup playoff clash with Gabon?
“That’s certainly a part of it,” Chukwu agrees.
“It is in our nature to respond to a protest by identifying ringleaders and/or scapegoats, and the most recent sit-in has apparently made Ekong deeply unpopular within the halls of the NFF.
“That’s a tough spot to be in, especially as captain of the side, and had the potential to cause a distraction at the tournament proper.”
Chelle now has two of his trusted centre-backs unavailable for the AFCON. Benjamin Fredericks, who has been a revelation in recent matches, has been ruled out with injury.
“That will be a massive headache for Eric Chelle,” Chukwu said.
“It is compounded by the fact that Ola Aina is yet to return to full training, and so is likely to also miss out.
“Raises many questions about the right side. At centre-back, it’s looking like Semi Ajayi will partner Calvin Bassey, and Zaidu Sanusi has the baton at left-back.
“Right-back, though, is up for grabs. Bright Osayi-Samuel is likeliest, but watch out for newcomer Ryan Alebiosu, who is very highly rated.”
These absences will also open up spots for some new names to play at the tournament.
“I think all the names one might expect will make it in.
“In terms of new faces, aside from Alebiosu, the likes of Rafiu Durosinmi, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tom Dele-Bashiru have decent shots at making the final squad,” Chukwu added.