Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has publicly justified his controversial decision to include several injured players in the provisional 54-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Chelle's Strategy for the Preliminary List
The former Mali manager unveiled the extensive preliminary list on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The list is a blend of seasoned veterans and promising new talent, featuring six goalkeepers, thirteen defenders, twelve midfielders, and a striking twenty-three forwards. All are set to report to camp on December 8.
Chelle is mandated to trim this large group down to a final 28-man squad before the official submission deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on December 11. The list notably includes five players from the Nigeria Premier Football League and fourteen uncapped players, including 16-year-old prospect Ebenezer Harcourt.
Reasoning Behind the Inclusion of Injured Stars
The most debated aspect of the list is the inclusion of defenders Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Felix Agu of Werder Bremen, both currently recovering from significant injuries.
Coach Chelle defended his choice, stating he received personal fitness assurances from the players regarding their recovery timelines ahead of the tournament. He further informed the Nigeria Football Federation's technical committee that he has already planned for contingencies.
"The former MC Oran manager has made a provision for both injured players with the inclusion of a much younger player," sources revealed. 19-year-old Emmanuel Michael of LASK is reportedly being considered as cover for the sidelined duo, as well as for other defensive options like Zaidu Sanusi and Bruno Onyemaechi.
Impact of Player Absences and Tournament Context
The absence of these key defenders poses a tangible risk to Nigeria's campaign. Ola Aina, a 2023 AFCON silver medallist, has been out of action since picking up an injury in the opening minutes of Nigeria's World Cup qualifier against South Africa in September 2025. His lack of match fitness for both club and country is a major concern.
Similarly, Felix Agu sustained a syndesmosis ligament injury in October 2025, causing him to miss Nigeria's crucial World Cup playoffs. The 26-year-old had only recently made his Super Eagles debut during the 2025 Unity Cup against Jamaica.
Despite their inclusion in the preliminary list, all signs point to Aina being omitted from the final 28-man selection, which Chelle is expected to announce imminently. The three-time AFCON champions have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda, making squad depth and fitness critical for a successful title challenge, especially after the disappointment of failing to qualify for a second consecutive FIFA World Cup.
In related news, former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has addressed speculation about his criticism of the NFF's decision to appoint a foreign coach, reiterating his belief that qualified local coaches were available for the role.
