Super Eagles Coach Shakes Up Squad with Fresh Talent
In a bold move ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has reportedly submitted a 55-man preliminary squad containing ten new, uncapped players to the Nigeria Football Federation. This strategic decision comes as Nigeria shifts focus to the continental tournament after missing qualification for the World Cup.
New Faces in the Super Eagles Camp
The expanded provisional list, submitted ahead of CAF's deadline, features several unfamiliar names that have caught the attention of football enthusiasts across Nigeria. According to reliable sources, the ten new players invited include:
Anthony Dennis (Goztepe), David Moses (Slavia Prague), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Wolfsberger FC), Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen), Dapo Afolayan (St. Pauli), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem), Onuche Ogbelu (Esperance), Tebo Franklin (Crvena Zvezda) and Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos).
AFCON 2025 Tournament Details and Expectations
The 35th edition of AFCON is scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026. Nigeria finds itself in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda, setting the stage for an exciting group phase.
The NFF has set clear expectations for Coach Chelle, mandating that he must reach the AFCON final or face potential dismissal. A source within the football federation revealed that meeting this target would automatically trigger a contract extension that would carry through to the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.
This tournament holds special significance for the Super Eagles, who suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to host nation Ivory Coast in the previous final, despite captain William Troost-Ekong earning the Most Valuable Player award.
Strategic Planning and Squad Management
The 48-year-old Malian coach plans to reduce the squad from 55 to 30 players when training camp resumes on December 8. Chelle has also devised plans to reintegrate players who were previously dropped during World Cup qualifiers due to poor club form but have since demonstrated improved performance over the past two months.
Respected Nigerian sports journalist Wale Mustapha believes Chelle's approach will surprise many critics. In an exclusive comment, Mustapha explained that introducing younger players represents a forward-thinking strategy to prepare for the eventual retirement of experienced squad members.
"Nigerians have been clamouring for a change in the Super Eagles because many current players might not maintain top form ahead of the 2030 World Cup qualifiers," Mustapha stated. "We need younger, hungry players like Fredrick Benjamin, and early introduction of these talents will ensure a smooth transition period."
As the Super Eagles prepare for their AFCON campaign, all eyes will be on how these new additions adapt to the national team setup and whether Chelle's revamped squad can deliver on the NFF's high expectations.
