AFCON 2025
In the final stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman of Atalanta of Italy, Moses Simon, reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, and 19 other players will try to earn six points against Benin Republic and Rwanda this month.
Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and strikers Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Samuel Chukwueze have also been called by coach Augustine Eguavoen.
The team will welcome home-based defender Victor Collins for the first time, Sadiq Umar, who plays for Real Sociedad in Spain, will make a comeback to the team.
Gabriel Osho, a defender playing in France, is hoping to play his first competitive game for Nigeria.
On November 11, the Super Eagles will take a direct flight to Abidjan to play the Benin Republic Cheetahs at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny.
On Thursday, November 14, they will travel to Uyo to play the Amavubi of Rwanda in the final qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Monday, November 18.
With only final-day opponents Rwanda able to catch up to them on points, the Super Eagles, who are now leading their Group D, will guarantee a spot in the final tournament if they defeat the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles, however, are far ahead of the Amavubi with a current record of seven goals for and none against after the CAF Disciplinary Board awarded three points and three goals for the disastrous Matchday 4 encounter against Libya.
Super Eagles of Nigeria list for AFCON 2025 qualifier against Benin and Rwanda
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)
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 (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)
