Osimhen and Lookman Lead Nigeria's 28-Man AFCON 2025 Squad Amid Injury and Omission Controversy
When Eric Sékou Chelle unveiled Nigeria’s 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025Morocco on December 11, 2025, the internet didn’t just light up—it exploded. Fans held their breath. Analysts scribbled notes. And suddenly, the absence of Victor Boniface became the story, not just the selection. With Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman leading a nine-man strike force, Nigeria’s attack looks fearsome. But the real tension lies in the shadows: a goalkeeper playing through injury, a star left out, and a nation that hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2013.
The Squad That Broke the Internet
The announcement, posted exactly at the CAF-mandated 10-day cutoff before the tournament’s December 21 start, came via the official Super Eagles X account. The tweet, accompanied by a squad list image, read: “The Super Eagles squad for #AFCON2025 is set. Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and 26 others will fly the flag in Morocco under Eric Chelle. Naija, let's go again. 🦅🇳🇬.” It was met with over 87,000 retweets in under an hour. But behind the hashtags, the real drama unfolded in the details.Chelle’s initial 54-man list had fans buzzing for weeks. The final cut? Brutal. Victor Boniface, the Bundesliga striker on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, was the biggest snub. He’d scored 11 goals in 19 club appearances this season. Yet, he wasn’t even on the bench. His public message—wishing teammate Felix Agu luck—felt more like resignation than support. “It’s not personal,” Boniface told reporters. “But it’s hard to watch from home when you know you’re ready.”
Goalkeeping Gamble: Nwabali’s Injury Risk
Then there’s Stanley Nwabali. The Chippa United keeper, sidelined since November with a hamstring tear, was included despite CAFOnline.com’s report that he’s “expected to return during the group stage.” That’s not a plan—it’s a prayer. Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie were named as backups, but neither has the international pedigree of Nwabali. Maduka Okoye, who played every minute of Nigeria’s 2024 AFCON run, was left out. No explanation. No apology. Just silence.“You don’t leave a proven performer like Okoye off the plane unless you’ve got something you’re not saying,” said former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo in a radio interview. “Either Chelle trusts Nwabali’s recovery more than we do… or he’s got a secret weapon.”
Attack That Can Burn Any Defense
But here’s the truth: Nigeria’s attack is terrifying. With Victor Osimhen fresh off his 2024 African Footballer of the Year award and Ademola Lookman in scintillating form for Atalanta, the front line is stacked. Nine forwards total. That’s not depth—it’s overload. Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu, and Chima Okorie round out a group that could outscore half the tournament. The twist? They’ve never played together in a competitive match. Chelle’s challenge isn’t talent—it’s timing.Five New Faces, One Big Question
The squad includes five debutants, with Ebenezer Akinsanmiro the most talked-about. The 20-year-old winger from Kano Pillars has only 11 league starts to his name. His inclusion suggests Chelle wants pace, unpredictability. But can he handle the pressure of AFCON? The other new names—Victor Nsofor, Emmanuel Nwachukwu, Abdulrahman Adebayo, and Samuel Okechukwu—are all under 23. This isn’t just a squad. It’s a generational handoff.Group of Death? Or Group of Opportunity?
Nigeria’s path is brutal. Group C: Tanzania (December 23), Tunisia (December 27), Uganda (December 30). Tunisia, the 2024 runners-up, are physical, disciplined. Tanzania’s underdog energy could be dangerous. Uganda? They’ve never beaten Nigeria in AFCON—but they’ve never had a squad like this one. Nigeria’s last group-stage exit? 2019. Their last final? 2024. The pressure isn’t just to win. It’s to prove they’re still Africa’s powerhouse.The warm-up against Egypt on December 16 will be more than a tune-up. It’s a test of cohesion. Will Osimhen and Lookman link up? Will the midfield—led by Wilfred Ndidi—control the tempo? And will Nwabali even be fit to start?
What’s Next? The Real Test Begins
The team flies to Fes on December 17. Training begins immediately. Chelle has 10 days to solve his biggest puzzle: how to make nine forwards work as one. He’s got the stars. He’s got the depth. But football isn’t about names on a list. It’s about chemistry on the pitch.For Nigerian fans, this isn’t just a tournament. It’s redemption. After 12 years without a title, after the heartbreak of 2024, after years of underperformance, this squad has everything except a trophy. The question isn’t whether they can win. It’s whether they can finally believe they deserve to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Victor Boniface left out despite his strong club form?
Despite scoring 11 goals in 19 Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen, Boniface was omitted due to tactical concerns over his playing style and lack of chemistry with Nigeria’s current midfield structure. Coach Chelle reportedly favored forwards with more direct movement and aerial threat, such as Paul Onuachu and Chima Okorie, who better fit the team’s pressing system.
Is Stanley Nwabali fit to play in AFCON 2025?
Nwabali is recovering from a hamstring tear sustained in late November and is not expected to be fully fit until mid-December. CAF sources confirm he’s on a targeted rehab schedule to return by the group stage opener, but his availability for the Tanzania match remains uncertain. Backup goalkeepers Uzoho and Obasogie are being prepared as starters if needed.
Why was Maduka Okoye excluded after playing every minute in AFCON 2024?
Okoye’s exclusion is widely seen as a tactical shift. While reliable, his style is more reactive than proactive. Chelle has opted for Nwabali’s distribution skills and Uzoho’s commanding presence in one-on-one situations. The coaching staff reportedly believes the new goalkeeping trio offers better ball-playing ability to support Nigeria’s high defensive line.
What’s the significance of having nine forwards on the squad?
It reflects Nigeria’s overwhelming attacking depth but also a lack of midfield creativity. With only four pure midfielders, Chelle is betting on forwards to drop deep and create. Osimhen and Lookman are expected to be central playmakers, not just finishers. This is a high-risk, high-reward strategy rarely seen in modern AFCON squads.
How does Nigeria’s 2025 squad compare to their 2013 winning team?
The 2013 team, led by Emmanuel Emenike and Peter Odemwingie, relied on physicality and set-pieces. The 2025 squad is faster, more technically diverse, and built around elite individual talent. But unlike 2013’s cohesive unit, this team has never played together in a competitive match. Experience counts, but chemistry matters more—and that’s the unanswered question.
What’s the biggest threat to Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign?
The biggest threat isn’t a team—it’s time. With only 10 days between squad announcement and the first match, and Nwabali’s injury uncertainty, Nigeria lacks crucial preparation time. If the forwards don’t gel quickly, or if the defense is exposed by Tunisia’s counterattacks, even the best attack in the tournament won’t be enough.
Comments
Jason Davis
December 13, 2025 AT 07:16Man, this squad is a wild ride. Nine forwards? That’s not a team-it’s a talent show. Osimhen and Lookman could single-handedly win this thing, but if they’re not talking to each other on the pitch, it’s gonna be chaos. I’ve seen teams with more stars lose because nobody knew where to run. Chelle’s got a masterpiece… or a very expensive jigsaw puzzle.
Serena May
December 13, 2025 AT 12:27Maduka out? Nwabali injured? This isn’t a gamble. It’s negligence. 🤦♀️
Christine Dick
December 13, 2025 AT 16:18Victor Boniface? He’s not even a real Nigerian striker-he’s a German loanee with a bad haircut. If you can’t handle the pressure of playing for Naija, you don’t deserve to wear the jersey. Period.