In a significant development for the Nigerian national football team, head coach Eric Chelle has reportedly chosen a new leader for the Super Eagles ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This decision comes in the wake of veteran defender William Troost-Ekong's sudden retirement from international football.
Leadership Void After Ekong's Exit
The Super Eagles were left with a major leadership gap just days before the start of AFCON 2025. Captain William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from international football, ending a decade-long service during which he earned 83 caps. The defender, who was surprisingly named in Chelle's preliminary 54-man squad, decided to step away after Nigeria's failure to secure a 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket, following a penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the playoff final.
Troost-Ekong's departure is a double blow for the team, as it removes not only a key defensive figure but also the inspirational leader who was named Player of the Tournament at AFCON 2023. His three goals during Nigeria's run to the final in Ivory Coast cemented his legacy as a national hero.
Ndidi Steps Up as New Captain
According to reports from OwnGoal Nigeria, Coach Eric Chelle has selected Wilfred Ndidi as the new permanent captain of the Super Eagles. The Besiktas midfielder is a logical choice, having frequently worn the armband as stand-in captain in matches where Troost-Ekong started on the bench during his final days with the team.
This leadership transition mirrors how Troost-Ekong himself took over the captaincy from Ahmed Musa. To support Ndidi, veteran players Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon are expected to serve as assistant captains, while star striker Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray will take on the role of third vice-captain. The Nigerian Football Federation is expected to make an official confirmation of these appointments before Nigeria's opening AFCON match against Tanzania on December 23, 2025.
Super Eagles Camp Opens in Egypt
The Nigerian national team has already begun preparations for the tournament, with their camp officially opening in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali were among the first players to arrive at the camp.
As of Monday, December 15, a total of 12 players had reported for duty. The early arrivals include:
- New invitees Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi
- Attacking midfielder Ademola Lookman
- Midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
- Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie
- Defender Semi Ajayi
- Full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel
- Defender Igoh Ogbu
- Striker Paul Onuachu
More players were expected to join the camp ahead of the first training session scheduled for 8 PM Nigerian time on Monday. The team is set to play a training match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday, December 16, a fixture altered by FIFA regulations.
The Super Eagles will depart for Morocco on a chartered flight on Thursday to continue their final preparations for the group stage matches. With the memory of their runner-up finish at AFCON 2023 still fresh, the team, under its new leadership, is determined to go one step further and lift the trophy in 2025.
