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So, Nigeria’s 28-man AFCON squad is out. Twenty-eight names. A few you expected, a few you probably didn’t even have on your longlist, and a handful that make you look up at the ceiling like, “Coach Chelle, abeg explain yourself.”
That’s fair. Chelle released this squad with zero explanation. No press conference. No long talk. Just the list dropped like a surprise album. So naturally, everyone is now doing their own breakdown.
Here’s ours: the winners, the losers, the shocks, and the statement picks from this very Chelle-ish squad ahead of AFCON 2025.
THE WINNERS
Stanley Nwabali
At this point, Nwabali could be playing football on Mars and Chelle would still pick him. And to be fair, he’s earned it. Every time he puts on the Nigeria shirt, he turns into a wall. He’s the biggest winner in the goalkeeping department, and the safest name on the entire list. Well, aside from Osimhen’s, of course.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Bright has waited. And waited. And waited. He’s been Ola Aina’s understudy for so long that fans almost forgot he exists. But with Aina injured, the right-back role is swinging open, and Osayi-Samuel looks ready.
Igoh Ogbu
For those who watch European football beyond the top five leagues, this name feels good. Ogbu has been excellent for Slavia Prague for two seasons and finally gets the nod. No drama. No controversy. A clean, deserved win.
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro
You know that one player who suddenly shows up and just feels like the beginning of something new? That’s Akinsanmiro. He’s been brilliant in Italy this season: busy, brave, efficient. Chelle clearly wants added dynamism, and the young man fits the bill.
Paul Onuachu
You can’t simply ignore goals.
Last season? Forgotten. This season? He’s scoring like the rent is due. Chelle couldn’t look away any longer. Onuachu is back, and he forced this recall with sheer numbers. Big win for him.
Victor Osimhen
Some players are winners simply by existing. Osimhen is one of them.
THE LOSERS
Maduka Okoye, the expected choice who wasn’t chosen
If we’re being honest, Okoye’s omission is the first big “whoa.” Most people thought he’d be the other half of the goalkeeping duo with Nwabali. Instead? Uzoho jumped in from nowhere. Okoye is a clear loser here.
Alhassan Yusuf, the player who did almost everything right
Yusuf rarely has a bad day in a Nigeria shirt. Yet somehow, somehow, he’s not on the plane. Hard to take for him, easy to argue about.
Nathan Tella & Olakunle Olusegun
Chelle tested them, used them, experimented with them… but when it was time to pick the real squad, both were cut. Brutal but honest.
Christantus Uche, the dropped name everyone will talk about
Last season he was flying in La Liga. This season, he’s showing signs of settling at Palace. Yet he’s watching Fago Lawal pack his bags instead. No matter Chelle’s explanation, this is tough.
THE SHOCKS
Francis Uzoho
Let’s tell the truth: Uzoho has not been in Chelle’s plans. He hasn’t been in camp. He hasn’t featured. Yet here we are — he’s suddenly in the squad. It’s the definition of a shock inclusion.
Is it experience? Is it intuition? Is it something we don’t know? Whatever it is, Uzoho is back from the wilderness.
Ryan Alebiosu
A Championship full-back sneaking into Nigeria’s AFCON squad? You don’t see that every day. But Aina’s injury created a vacuum, and Alebiosu walked right through it. Lucky? Yes. But a shock? Very much.
Usman Mohammed, the mystery pick
You could give fans 100 guesses and nobody would produce the name of Usman Mohammed, 31-year-old midfielder playing in Israel. This is the real wildcard. The Sunday Mba comparison is already flying around but he’ll need the tournament of his career to justify this pick.
Chidera Ejuke, the dribbler without end product
Ejuke’s inclusion is puzzling. He hasn’t settled in Sevilla, hasn’t been consistent for years, yet Chelle is giving him another chance. Maybe it’s that goal against Gabon. Maybe the coach is betting on his chaos factor. Either way, this one shocked plenty.
Salim Fago Lawal
This is easily the biggest lightning bolt. Nigeria ignored an in-form Christantus Uche in the Premier League for a striker from Croatia with modest numbers. Chelle must see something most don’t, because on paper this doesn’t add up.
THE STATEMENT PICKS
These are the names that tell you exactly what Chelle wants his team to look like.
Wilfred Ndidi
Even with all the young blood in midfield, Chelle still values Ndidi’s experience and composure. Picking him is a statement of trust.
Raphael Onyedika
Chelle wants calmness, control, and tactical discipline in the middle, and Onyedika brings all three. This is a pick that says: ‘We build through midfield this time.’ Hopefully, he plays.
Ademola Lookman
If Nigeria wins this AFCON, Lookman’s name will be on the highlight reel. Chelle knows it. Everyone knows it. This pick signals: ‘We play through him.’
Semi Ajayi & Calvin Bassey
No experiments at centre-back. No last-minute surprises. Chelle wants reliability, so Ajayi and Bassey are the foundation.
FULL LIST: Super Eagles AFCON 2025 squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961 (Croatia)
