2025 AFCON: Osimhen out as Eguavoen names Super Eagles squad for Libya cracker

Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen has named a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Libya.

The list features notable inclusions such as William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and wing-backs Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi. Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye also make the squad, along with defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface, and Samuel Chukwueze.

Reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen is notably absent due to injury, along with South Africa-based centre-back Olisa Ndah. However, defender Bright Osayi-Samuel returns to the squad after missing last month’s qualifiers, and in-form playmaker Chidera Ejuke also makes his comeback after a long absence.

Forward Kelechi Iheanacho has been included, as well as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Frank Onyeka.

Nigeria will host Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, October 11, before travelling to Benghazi for the return fixture at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium on Tuesday, October 15.
All players are expected to report to the team camp in Uyo by Monday, 7th October.

Full Squad List

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); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, 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 (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)