Tag: AFCON 2025

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AFCON 2025: ‘He Was Torn To Pieces’ – Oliseh Speaks On Okoye’s Exclusion From Nigeria Squad (Video)

Sunday Oliseh, a former Nigerian midfielder, has reacted to the omission of Maduka Okoye from the final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Okoye was dropped from the final squad despite being included in Eric Chelle’s provisional list of 54 players.

Oliseh claims the Udinese goalkeeper was “torn to bits” by fans and pundits after his last appearance for the Super Eagles.

“The last game he played for Nigeria, I remember this boy being torn into bits online, online, television, everywhere,” Oliseh said about Okoye on his podcast.

“He was so much destroyed that I remember looking at it and saying, If this boy were my son, I will tell him now, go and stop playing.

“Just go make your life again. Forget it.”

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It’s Shameless! – Mikel Obi Slams NFF Over Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 Preparations

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has slammed Nigeria’s preparations for AFCON 2025, accusing the Nigeria Football Federation of mismanagement just weeks ahead of the tournament.

Speaking on his ObiOne podcast, Mikel said he was deeply unimpressed by the state of preparations for the finals in Morocco, which kick off on Sunday.

He questioned how a national team coach could still be owed salaries at such a sensitive moment for Nigerian football.

“I’m not impressed at all with the preparation. After everything that happened with the World Cup qualifiers, you would expect things to be better,” said Mikel, who has previously called for the resignation of the NFF board following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“How do you owe a coach money at this stage? It’s shameless! This is not how serious football nations operate. When issues like this are in the public space, it affects everyone, the coach, the players and even the fans.

“This was supposed to be the time to save face and show that lessons were learned. Instead, it’s the same story again. You can’t go into the AFCON with unresolved problems. Everything must be sorted now. Nigeria deserves better. Our football deserves better.”

Reports had claimed that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle was owed three months’ salary and bonuses by the NFF ahead of the 2025 AFCON.

However, Naija News reports that the National Sports Commission chairman, Shehu Dikko, revealed on Monday that the commission had stepped in to cover Chelle’s wages, despite not being a party to his contract.

“The NSC have been paying the salaries of Eric Chelle (Super Eagles coach) on behalf of the NFF even though we’re not a party to the contract,” Dikko said on Arise Television. “This is part of our support to the NFF.”

Nigeria will compete in Group C at AFCON 2025 alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania, with their opening fixture against Tanzania scheduled for December 23 in Fès.

The Super Eagles head into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in their only pre-AFCON friendly, played on Tuesday in Cairo.

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Super Eagles Stars Land in Morocco In Style For AFCON 2025 (Photos)

Three-time African champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, arrived at their base in Fez on Tuesday ahead of the kick-off of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, where they will be chasing a long-awaited fourth title.

Dapper in their  green traditional kaftans with flowered embroidery  with  matching caps, the coach Eric Sekou Chelle-led side left  Cairo  yesterday  about mid-day  in a chartered   flight  and  made their way  into Fez  in the evening.

Their late arrival forced   the cancellation of  their proposed  first training in Fez yesterday  but  they are expected  to begin their preparation  today in Fez which is  regarded  as one of Morocco’s most fascinating imperial cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The  Super Eagles had earlier  spent five days in Cairo for the first phase of their preparation  and  only on Tuesday lost 2-1 to the Pharaohs of Egypt in their only  pre-AFCON friendly match.

The three-time African champions are drawn in Group C with Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.

The Super Eagles will face the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in their opening fixture next week Tuesday, before taking on Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27, and Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.

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AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Depart Cairo Camp For Morocco

The Super Eagles are set to travel from Cairo to Fez, Morocco, today in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Eric Chelle’s men opened camp in Cairo, Egypt for the competition on Sunday.

All the 28 players are now in camp following Victor Osimhen’s arrival on Wednesday night.

The Super Eagles lost 2-1 to Egypt in their only pre-AFCON friendly at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday night.

They will continue their preparation for the competition when they arrive Fez.

Nigeria will face the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in their opening fixture next week Tuesday, before taking on Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27 and Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.

The Super Eagles will play all their group games at the Grand Stade de Fèz.

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2025 AFCON: What Late Stephen Keshi Told Me About Corruption In Team Selection – Mikel

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has disclosed what the late former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, told him regarding corruption in the team selection process.

Mikel made the disclosure while drawing a comparison between Keshi’s squad and Nigeria’s team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

According to Mikel, Keshi told him that highly placed individuals attempted to influence his selection, but the late coach resisted the pressure and selected players purely on merit.

“I remember the late Stephen Keshi when he wanted to make his World Cup selection, called me up and say Mikel, I want to make the squad but these f****s keep calling me trying to influence my decision,” Mikel said on his Obi One Podcast.

“They say I have to pick this player but you know me, I will always do what’s right and I will pick the players that I think deserve and will go and help this country do well in the World Cup.”

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles already have 25 players in camp as preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations intensify in Egypt.

Nigeria are scheduled to face Egypt in a friendly match on Tuesday before travelling to neighbouring Morocco for the tournament.

The Super Eagles will play Tanzania, Uganda and Tunisia in Group C of the AFCON.

Nigeria’s campaign begins against Tanzania on December 23, followed by matches against Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 30.

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AFCON 2025: Anticipation Builds As 10 Players Hit Super Eagles Camp

At least 10 players have reported to the Super Eagles’ camp as preparations get underway for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles’ camp officially opened on Sunday at the Renaissance Hotel, Cairo, with all coaches and backroom staff already in attendance ahead of the tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was the first player to arrive, touching down shortly after 2 a.m. local time, signalling the start of full squad mobilisation.

Uzoho was named as one of three goalkeepers in head coach Eric Chelle’s 28-man squad, marking his return to the national team setup after more than a year on the sidelines.

Stanley Nwabali followed as the second arrival, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro later arrived to raise the number in camp to four.

Six more players, Amas Obasogie, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Igho Ogbu, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Tochukwu Nnadi, arrived later, bringing the total number in camp to 10.

More players are expected to join in the coming hours as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the continental showpiece.

NAN also reports that the three-time African champions are scheduled to hold their first training session later on Sunday.

As part of their preparations, the Super Eagles will play a friendly match against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.

Nigeria will head into the 2025 AFCON looking to build on their runners-up finish at the last tournament, where they lost 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the final.

The Super Eagles are aiming for a fourth continental crown, having previously won the competition in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

The 2025 AFCON kicks off in Morocco on December 21 and is expected to end on January 18, 2026.

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AFCON 2025: Chelle Names Final 28-Man Super Eagles Squad (Full List)

Eric Chelle, the Head coach of the Super Eagles, has released his final squad list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelle has trimmed his initial 50-man squad to 28 players.

The most obvious absentee is captain William Troost-Ekong, who announced his retirement from international football last week.

However, vice-captains Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen make the cut.

The deadline for the submission of the final squads was December 10.

The Super Eagles squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece), Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia)

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AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle warned against overreliance on Osimhen

Former Nigeria winger Tijani Babangida has cautioned Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle against what he calls a “dangerous” overreliance on Victor Osimhen ahead of AFCON 2025.

He insists Nigeria cannot build its ambitions for a fourth continental title around one player, no matter how influential.

Data exposes worrying dependency

Osimhen’s impact on the team is undisputed. With 31 goals in 43 games, he is closing in on Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record, and Nigeria’s results reflect his importance.

With him available, the Super Eagles have lost just five of 40 matches. Without him, they have suffered 11 defeats in 29.

AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle warned against overreliance on Osimhen
Chelle warned against over dependence on Osimhen – Getty image

That gulf showed during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria failed to win any of their first four games while Osimhen was injured.

His return brought six goals in six matches and a haul of 14 points, yet the team still fell behind South Africa in the race for automatic qualification.

Collapse against Congo reveals wider structural issue

Osimhen inspired Nigeria past Gabon in the playoff, but when he limped off in the final versus DR Congo, the team fell apart and eventually lost on penalties.

Babangida says moments like that highlight a system too dependent on the striker.

Speaking to Tribal Football, he said Chelle must “fix” the issue and build a squad capable of performing with or without the Galatasaray forward.

He added that every player selected must take responsibility and maintain performance levels irrespective of Osimhen’s availability.

Mentality shift needed ahead of AFCON 2025

Babangida stressed that injuries are part of football and Osimhen’s absence should not “throw the Super Eagles into a mess.”

He urged the coach to instil confidence across the squad, particularly among the attackers, so the team can operate effectively even when their talisman is unavailable.

Nigeria face Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania in Group C, opening their AFCON 2025 campaign on December 23 against Tanzania.

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EPL: Slot identifies Salah’s replacement during AFCON

Arne Slot has confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong could fill in for Mohamed Salah when the Egyptian captain departs for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON) in Morocco.

 

Salah is expected to feature for Egypt at the tournament, which will run from December 2025 to January 2026, potentially sidelining him for up to six Premier League matches.

 

Speaking to reporters, the Liverpool manager explained that Frimpong, signed from Bayer Leverkusen, was recruited partly with this scenario in mind.

“We brought in Frimpong as he can play right-back and right-winger,” Slot said.

“We thought about the fact we are going to miss Mo for six Premier League games maximum during AFCON, which is quite a lot when you consider how well he did last season.”

Salah played a crucial role in Liverpool’s recent title triumph, scoring 28 goals and providing 18 assists in 37 league appearances.

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