Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has failed to submit his provisional 55-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to the Nigeria Football Federation, creating growing concerns among football enthusiasts across the nation.
The delay comes despite widespread media reports suggesting the Franco-Malian coach had already handed over his preliminary selection to the football governing body. With less than 30 days remaining before the tournament kicks off, the continued postponement is raising questions about Nigeria's preparation timeline.
Critical Deadline Approaching
The Confederation of African Football has set December 11 as the strict deadline for all participating countries to submit their final 23-man squad lists. This gives teams exactly 10 days before the tournament's opening match to finalize their selections.
According to reliable sources, Chelle is taking extra time to carefully assess his options as injury updates continue to emerge that could significantly impact his final decisions. The coach appears determined to ensure he has the most comprehensive view of player availability before committing to his provisional roster.
Injury Concerns Mounting for Super Eagles
The delay in squad announcement coincides with several injury setbacks affecting potential Super Eagles selections. Benjamin Fredrick has been officially ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a knee injury while playing for Belgian club FCV Dender.
The young defender has returned to his parent club, Brentford, to begin rehabilitation, forcing Chelle to identify suitable replacements for the promising talent. This development represents a significant blow to Nigeria's defensive options.
Additional fitness concerns include Ola Aina, who continues to battle a hamstring injury suffered during September's match against South Africa. His availability remains uncertain as medical staff work to accelerate his recovery process.
In another disappointing update, Felix Agu, who recently switched his international allegiance from Germany to Nigeria, will also miss the continental championship due to an injury expected to keep him sidelined until the new year.
Tournament Schedule and Group Composition
The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group C alongside North African giants Tunisia and East African neighbors Tanzania and Uganda. Nigeria will begin their campaign against Tanzania on December 23, followed by a crucial encounter with Tunisia on December 27, and conclude their group stage matches against Uganda on December 30.
The matchup against Tunisia carries particular significance, as the Carthage Eagles eliminated Nigeria from AFCON 2021 in the Round of 16. Tunisia currently ranks among Africa's strongest teams, having navigated their World Cup qualifying campaign without suffering a single defeat.
Nigerian football fans are growing increasingly anxious as the squad announcement delay continues, with many expressing their concerns on social media platforms and sports forums. The extended wait has sparked numerous debates about potential inclusions and exclusions from the provisional list.
The Nigeria Football Federation maintains that they are in constant communication with Coach Chelle and expect the provisional squad submission imminently. However, the growing tension underscores the importance of adequate preparation time ahead of Africa's most prestigious football tournament.
