Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, is poised to make significant adjustments to his preliminary squad list for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The Franco-Malian tactician, who took charge in January 2025, is reportedly looking to inject fresh legs into the team's setup.
Provisional List Under Review
This development comes barely 48 hours after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) published a provisional list containing 55 players. According to reports from SCORENigeria and Foot Africa, Chelle intends to edit this list before finalizing his squad. The final roster of 28 players must be submitted to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by December 11.
An official from the NFF provided insight into the coach's strategy, stating that Chelle is focused on selecting players capable of executing his high-intensity, high-pressure style of play. The official revealed that the final squad for the tournament will include a notable number of new and young players, signaling a potential shift in the team's composition.
Rebuilding for the Future
The NFF source elaborated on the rationale behind this potential overhaul. "Some of our big players are on their way out; they may still be very committed to the team, but the body is not willing, and so we have to start rebuilding, beginning with this AFCON," the official said. It was disclosed that as many as five new players could be included in the final traveling party to Morocco.
Nigeria, the three-time African champions, are drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia. The Super Eagles will be aiming to improve on their runner-up finish in the last edition and clinch a fourth continental title. The initial 55-man list had already included several young and uncapped players, a move that sparked debate among fans regarding its timing, with the tournament kick-off just two weeks away.
Captaincy Change and Player Clearance
In another significant development, coach Eric Chelle has stripped William Troost-Ekong of the captain's armband. The 32-year-old defender, who currently plays for Al Kholood in Saudi Arabia, is said to be focusing on his club commitments. This decision follows a reported protest led by Ekong against the NFF over unpaid allowances dating back to 2019, which occurred just before a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon in November.
On a positive note, defender Ryan Alebiosu has been cleared to represent Nigeria. A previous issue with securing a Nigerian passport, which was escalated by the NFF, has now been resolved, making him eligible for selection.
As the December 11 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Eric Chelle's final selections, which will define Nigeria's quest for glory at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
