AFCON 2025: Super Eagles camp opens December 10 in Cairo, Chelle names 55-Man provisional squad

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the Super Eagles’ training camp for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco will open in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

The announcement came as the head coach Eric Sékou Chelle released a provisional list of 55 players for the prestigious continental tournament, featuring a blend of established stars and emerging talents.

The provisional squad includes captain William Ekong, prolific forward Victor Osimhen, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who have all been instrumental to Nigeria’s qualification campaign.

Other notable inclusions are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi and Raphael Onyedika, as well as forwards Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses and Chidera Ejuke.

In a significant boost for domestic football, the list also features Nigeria Premier Football League stars Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji and Adekunle Adeleke, demonstrating Coach Chelle’s willingness to look beyond Europe-based professionals.

According to the NFF, a final list of 28 players will be drawn from the provisional roster in the coming days. The selected contingent is expected to arrive at the training camp in Egypt on December 10 and will play a couple of friendly matches before the tournament kicks off on Sunday, December 21.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, setting up what promises to be a competitive group stage. The three-time African champions will be looking to add a fourth continental title to their trophy cabinet.

*Complete 55-Man Provisional Squad:*

*Goalkeepers (6)*: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars), Maduka Okoye (Udinese), Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)

*Defenders (12)*: William Ekong (Al-Kholood), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague), Felix Agu (Bremen), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn), Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors)

*Midfielders (11)*: Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias), Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa), Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi)

*Forwards (26)*: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Simon Moses (Paris FC), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla), Tolu Arokodare (Wolves), Akor Adams (Sevilla), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad), Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest), Victor Boniface (Bremen), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), Terem Moffi (Nice), Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos), Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes), Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen), Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United), Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves), Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven), Philip Otele (FC Basel), Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra), Emmanuel Michael (Linzer ASK)

The tournament marks the beginning of a new chapter for Nigerian football under Coach Eric Sékou Chelle, who was appointed to replace Jose Peseiro. The Malian tactician faces the immediate challenge of blending the squad and implementing his tactical philosophy within a limited preparation window.

With Nigeria’s passionate fanbase expecting nothing less than a strong showing at the tournament, the Super Eagles will use their time in Cairo to fine-tune tactics, build team chemistry, and prepare for what promises to be an intense campaign in Morocco.

The 35th Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.