Super Eagles Squad Announced for AFCON Qualifiers: Ekong, Osimhen, Awoniyi Lead the Charge
The Super Eagles are set to face Benin Republic and Rwanda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches next month, and a formidable squad has been announced.
Captain William Ekong, wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi are all back in the squad, having recovered from injuries. Ekong, named Man-of-the-Competition at AFCON 2023, missed the June World Cup qualifiers due to injury, while Aina, Awoniyi, and African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen were also sidelined with injuries.
The squad list released on Tuesday evening boasts three goalkeepers, including AFCON 2023 star Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards. Bendel Insurance's Amas Obasogie is the only player from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in the 23-man squad.
South Africa-based defender Olisa Ndah and Taiwo Awoniyi, who last played in the 1-1 draw against Lesotho in November 2023, are also back in the fold.
The Super Eagles will face Benin Republic's Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on 7 September, before travelling to Kigali to take on Rwanda's Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on 10 September. All players are expected to report in Uyo on 2 September.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday announced the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach for the Super Eagles. Labbadia will be hoping for a positive start in these two matches and subsequent fixtures.
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Full Squad List
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
