- Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has submitted his 28-man final squad list ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- He will lead the three-time AFCON winners to the showpiece after failing to seal a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Nigerian sports journalist Favour Itua said Chelle has no excuse not to win with the calibre of players in the team
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has submitted Nigeria’s 28-man squad list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Malian tactician successfully met the December 11 deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Nigeria sealed qualification for the 35th edition of the continental tournament after three wins, two draws, and one loss in Group D.
Source: Getty Images
The Super Eagles topped the group with 11 points, followed by the Benin Republic with eight points, and both Rwanda and Libya missed out, according to the BBC.
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Nigeria will begin their quest for a fourth AFCON title against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on December 23 in Rabat, Morocco, according to the NFF.
Despite missing the FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive time, the Super Eagles remain one of the favourites heading into the continental tournament.
The West African giants fell short in the 2026 World Cup playoffs, losing 4-3 on penalties to the Leopards of DR Congo to lose out on a place in North America next year.
Chelle submits AFCON squad on deadline day
Reasons have emerged explaining why Super Eagles coach Chelle submitted his 28-man AFCON squad on the eve of the deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
He reportedly selected the list days after releasing the 54-man provisional list, but delayed the official submission due to pending medical reports on three Super Eagles players.
Source: Getty Images
According to OwnGoal, the former Mali coach was awaiting the medical updates of Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Felix Agu (Werder Bremen) and Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United) before making the list public.
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The 48-year-old wanted confirmation on whether the trio would be available to feature after the group stage should Nigeria progress to the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi has assured Chelle of his full fitness after missing his club’s last match due to a knock sustained in their previous outing.
Nigeria is condemned to win AFCON – Itua
Meanwhile, Nigerian sports journalist Favour Itua believes the Super Eagles have all the players needed to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Itua noted that Chelle’s performance in the World Cup qualifiers, combined with the closeness of the AFCON tournament, contributed to the NFF’s decision not to sack him.
He said:
“Nigerians are not patient people. Eric Chelle has to win the 2025 AFCON if he wants to remain the coach of the Super Eagles.
“The people who are hailing him now are the same people who will call for his head. If the AFCON were next year, Eric Chelle would have been sacked because he failed to meet the terms and conditions of his contract.”
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Tijani Babangida warns Eric Chelle over mistakes
Legit.ng earlier reported that Tijani Babangida has warned Eric Chelle to avoid the same mistakes at AFCON 2025, which cost Nigeria a 2026 World Cup ticket.
The 1994 tournament winner said that overdependence on Victor Osimhen was detrimental to the team as the Super Eagles became disorganised after his injury.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
