Super Eagles AFCON 2025 Squad- Former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze has slammed the Super Eagles’ final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025, calling the selections “questionable” and sparking outrage among fans and pundits.
On Thursday, the Nigerian Football Federation officially unveiled the Super Eagles’ final list, comprising three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and nine forwards for the continental tournament.
Several notable omissions dominated discussions, including Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare, both widely expected to feature due to their consistent club performances.
Conversely, the squad welcomed back Francis Uzoho and Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu, who had been absent from national duties for over a year due to injuries and fitness concerns.
The squad also highlights several new faces across defence, midfield, and attack, reflecting a mix of youth and experience intended to strengthen Nigeria’s chances at AFCON 2025.
In defence, Blackburn Rovers’ Ryan Alebiosu and Slavia Prague centre-back Igoh Ogbu earned their spots, impressing coaching staff with recent performances in European competitions and showing tactical awareness.
Nigeria’s midfield received fresh energy with Inter Milan midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, currently on loan at Pisa, and former Flying Eagles player Tochukwu Nnadi, marking their first senior national team inclusion.
Another surprising selection was 31-year-old Usman Muhammed, who currently plays in Israel’s second division, prompting debate over including players from less prominent leagues in the national squad.
Croatia-based forward Lawal Fago, also a former Flying Eagles striker, made the final cut, signalling coach Chelle’s willingness to integrate emerging talents at a major continental tournament.
Speaking on Brila FM, Udeze expressed strong doubts about the squad, saying, “For me, the Super Eagles’ final list is questionable because there are players I would not select myself at this stage.”
He also questioned the inclusion of lower-league players, arguing, “It would have been better if that spot were given to a player from the NPFL to showcase homegrown talent at AFCON.”
Udeze criticised the exclusion of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who has been a consistent starter in Serie A and widely regarded as Nigeria’s most reliable shot-stopper in recent seasons.
“Leaving Maduka Okoye out is questionable,” Udeze said. “He plays regularly at a top European league, yet we select goalkeepers from Cyprus and Tanzania, which doesn’t make sense.”
The omissions quickly ignited heated debates among fans, pundits, and former players, with opinions divided on whether the squad truly represents Nigeria’s strongest options for the tournament.
Some analysts argue the squad prioritises tactical versatility and potential, while others insist the exclusions weaken Nigeria’s chances of making a deep run at AFCON 2025.
Historically, Nigeria has relied on a combination of domestic and European-based players, and this squad maintains that pattern, albeit with several selections deemed controversial this year.
Udeze, who played as a left-back for Nigeria, emphasised that squad decisions should balance current form, league competitiveness, and past contributions to the national team.
He added that excluding Okoye, a goalkeeper performing consistently at a high level, undermines the team’s strength ahead of a major competition like AFCON 2025.
Other defenders, such as Ryan Alebiosu and Igoh Ogbu, have shown promise in Europe, but their relative inexperience at international tournaments remains a concern for critics of the squad.
The midfield selections, featuring Akinsanmiro and Nnadi, are expected to inject creativity and energy, though questions remain whether they can handle the intensity of continental matches.
In attack, Lawal Fago represents a gamble on potential rather than proven international performance, reflecting coach Chelle’s strategy of blending youth with established stars for tournament flexibility.
Fans on social media expressed mixed reactions, with some praising opportunities for young talents, while others criticised the snubbing of established players like Okoye and Arokodare from the squad.
Udeze stressed that his critique comes from loyalty and concern for Nigeria’s performance, saying, “Super Eagles is my team, and I will support them, but some selections do not make sense at all.”
He concluded, “There is something about this list that doesn’t sit right. Every selection should be justified by player performance and contribution to the team balance.”
The Super Eagles will begin AFCON preparations with intensive training camps in the coming weeks, allowing coach Chelle to assess player fitness and readiness for the tournament.
Nigeria has been drawn into a competitive group, and the squad composition will be closely scrutinised by opponents, analysts, and fans alike before and during matches.
Despite controversies, Nigeria remains one of the favourites at AFCON 2025, with a blend of experience, tactical depth, and youthful energy offering hope for a strong tournament showing.
Debates over squad selection are likely to persist until the first match, as fans, media, and former players continue voicing opinions on team strengths, weaknesses, and overall balance.
Coach Chelle has expressed confidence in his decisions, claiming the squad represents a balanced combination of experience, youth, and tactical flexibility designed to maximise Nigeria’s chances at AFCON.
The tournament will test every player on the 28-man list, and performances in training and friendly matches will ultimately justify or challenge the controversial selection choices.
Nigeria supporters remain hopeful that, regardless of criticisms, the Super Eagles will unify and perform strongly, demonstrating their talent, determination, and resilience throughout AFCON 2025.
The squad debate underscores Nigerians’ passion and high expectations for their national football team, especially ahead of a major continental championship where the pressure is intense.
As preparations continue, observers will closely monitor training sessions, drills, and friendly matches to gauge whether the Super Eagles can deliver on the potential suggested by the squad selections.
Udeze’s concerns mirror broader conversations about team balance, emphasizing that every player must earn their spot through current form, performance, and contribution to the squad’s tactical strategy.
The Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 journey promises drama, with selection controversies, tactical decisions, and individual performances shaping the narrative both before and during the tournament.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s performance on the pitch will determine whether the choices made for the final squad were justified or if these questionable picks will haunt their campaign throughout the competition.
Supporters and pundits alike will be watching closely, with every match and every decision on the field intensifying discussions over the squad’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact.
This year’s AFCON 2025 squad has already divided opinion, and the tournament will serve as the ultimate measure of whether the selections were bold and visionary or flawed and short-sighted.
With the spotlight on the Super Eagles, each player will need to perform at their highest level to silence critics and ensure Nigeria’s campaign meets the lofty expectations of fans and the football community.
The coming weeks will be crucial for building team cohesion, assessing tactical approaches, and ensuring that every member of the squad is ready for the challenges of continental football.
Nigeria has a proud history at AFCON, and all eyes are on the Super Eagles to prove that the controversial squad can rise to the occasion and deliver memorable performances.
Regardless of criticism, the players selected must focus on preparation, discipline, and teamwork, as only results on the pitch will ultimately validate coach Chelle’s decisions and Udeze’s concerns.
