Written by ‘Sola Babarinsa

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has named a 25-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, with familiar faces making up the bulk of the roster. The team aims to secure a fourth continental title, building on their previous victories in 1980, 1994, and 2013.

Peseiro has opted for a mix of experience and youth, with a roster featuring three goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders, and eight forwards.

Captain Ahmed Musa returns after missing the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series, while South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili joins Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo in the team.

Kenneth Omeruo, the only other player besides Musa from Nigeria’s 2013-winning squad, leads the defense alongside William Troost-Ekong. Olaoluwa Aina, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Bruno Onyemaechi complete the backline.

Wilfred Ndidi is back in the fold after missing the World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. He will partner Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Joe Ayodele-Aribo, and Frank Onyeka in midfield.

Musa, Nigeria’s record World Cup goalscorer, joins Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface, Sadiq Umar, and Ademola Lookman in attack.

All 25 players will depart from their respective bases on January 2nd to fly into Abu Dhabi for a one-week training camp. They will then return to Lagos before flying into Abidjan on January 10th.

The Super Eagles will begin their Group A campaign against Equatorial Guinea on January 14th, followed by clashes with host nation Côte d’Ivoire (January 18th) and Guinea-Bissau (January 22nd).

Nigeria will be participating in their 20th Africa Cup of Nations, having previously triumphed in 1980 (as hosts), 1994 (Tunisia), and 2013 (South Africa). They also reached the final in 1984, hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, losing to Cameroon.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); William Troost-Ekong (PAOK Salonika, Greece); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)

Credit: Leadership