The 28-man final Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was released on Thursday night.
Head coach, Eric Chelle trimmed his initial list of 54 players, leaving out some really interesting names.
In total, there are three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and nine forwards.
More or less what was expected considering the options available,” Deji Faremi, a football podcaster with White House Pod, tells DAILY POST.
“I don’t think there were many curveballs.
“But I don’t also think selection, or personnel has been much to worry about in the last 1-2 years — it’s been putting these pieces together in a way that fits.
“So hopefully we can get that right.”
Chelle will also be travelling to Morocco with some surprise inclusions.
Of course, we were not expecting captain William Troost-Ekong to be on the plane, having announced his retirement from international football last week.
But Maduka Okoye (goalkeeper), Victor Boniface (forward), Tolu Arokodare (striker) and Ola Aina (defender) will also not be travelling for the AFCON.
Okoye is the one most fans are talking about. With first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali’s injury situation touch-and-go, the in-form Udinese man was expected to be picked.
Instead, Chelle has opted to recall Francis Uzoho, who last featured for the team in March 2024 and included Amas Obasogie of Singida Black Stars.
There are also debut call-ups for Croatia-based striker and ex-Flying Eagles forward Lawal Salim Fago; Inter Milan youngster, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro; Israel-based Usman Muhammed and former Flying Eagles star, Tochukwu Nnadi.
“I was a bit surprised at Salim Fago.
“I haven’t seen him yet, and my guess is he’s in because of his versatility, but considering his lack of experience with the senior team, I’d be surprised if he gets a proper shot, and that almost defeats any need for him in the squad,” Faremi said.
Faremi was, however, surprised by Chelle’s decision not to take Arokodare to the tournament.
The Wolves striker was part of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures this year and appeared to be a solid alternative to Victor Osimhen.
“Unlike Fago, Arokodare has been an important role player in the last year,” Faremi said.
“Admittedly he’s not lighting it up for his club, but the national team is at a different stage. I’d have called him regardless.”
One of the talking points on social media has been that the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has influenced the inclusion of certain players.
There are even speculations that Chelle is so upset that he will leave the role after the AFCON.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. But it’s not always a bad thing,” Faremi said.
“Especially in our case, it’s not surprising that the football federation might have some kind of influence in the team ahead of a competition.
“I think the big question should be how much influence.
“Ultimately, you want the coach to be comfortable enough that he trusts his ‘tools’ because in the end, he’s responsible for the results.”
