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Pisa SC manager Alberto Gilardino has confirmed that youngster Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has been named in Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Footynaija.com reports.
It is the first senior national team call-up for the 21-year-old, who is owned by Inter Milan and currently on loan at Pisa.
Akinsanmiro has been one of Pisa’s standout performers this season, making 11 Serie A appearances and earning two man-of-the-match awards. His energy, passing range and dynamism have impressed both his club and Nigeria’s selectors. He recently returned from a shoulder injury and made an immediate impact against Parma, entering at halftime and energising the midfield.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle views him as a fresh midfield option, offering mobility and ball progression behind established figures such as Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka.
Gilardino confirmed that the midfielder will depart for national duty after Pisa’s match against Lecce on December 12, saying via FC Inter1908:
“After Lecce… he’ll miss several matches.”
Nigeria open their AFCON camp on December 15 and Akinsanmiro could make his international debut the following day in a friendly against Egypt.
Inter Milan continue to monitor his progress closely. The Italian champions loaned him to Pisa with a €6m option-to-buy and a slightly higher buy-back clause, ensuring they retain long-term control of his development.
Born in 2004, Akinsanmiro has risen quickly through the ranks, from Remo Stars to Inter Milan to Serie A regular at Pisa. Now he heads to AFCON 2025 as one of Nigeria’s most exciting young talents.
It would be recalled that Belgian giants Club Brugge have already confirmed the inclusion of midfielder Raphael Onyedika in Nigeria’s final squad to AFCON 2025.
