Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Sékou Chelle, has unveiled a 28-man squad for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, with the three-time African champions set to begin their campaign in Morocco in just 10 days.

Chelle has kept faith with several of Nigeria’s established stars, naming Stanley Nwabali as first-choice goalkeeper along with defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and attacking duo Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. They headline a group that blends experience with fresh talent.

The Franco-Malian tactician also included Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Samuel Chukwueze, and Simon Moses.

There is a recall for Francis Uzoho, now based in Cyprus, as well as defender Igoh Ogbu and striker Paul Onuachu.

Five players earned their maiden invitation to the Super Eagles: England-based right-back Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Usman Muhammed, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Croatian-based forward Salim Fago Lawal.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to play a high-profile friendly against Egypt’s Pharaohs on Tuesday, 16 December, at the Cairo International Stadium. The match will provide Chelle a final opportunity to assess his squad before the team departs Cairo aboard a chartered flight to Fès, where they will contest their Group C matches.

Nigeria opens their campaign against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on 23 December, before facing Tunisia on 27 December and completing group action against Uganda on 30 December.

Nigeria’s 28-Man Squad for AFCON 2025 (Morocco)

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)

The Super Eagles will be aiming to win their fourth continental crown, 11 years after their last triumph in South Africa.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Veteran left back Ali Maaloul has been included in Tunisia’s 28-man squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, as the 35-year-old prepares to make his fifth appearance in the tournament.

Maaloul, who turns 36 next month, had not played for Tunisia for almost two years when he won a recall for a friendly last month and kept his place for the Arab Cup in Qatar, where Tunisia were eliminated on Sunday.

Maaloul has competed at four previous Cup of Nations editions, and won the African Champions League four times. He is one of several experienced internationals named on Thursday by coach Sami Trabelsi, who also included 33-year-old midfielder Ferjani Sassi, who will reach 100 caps if he plays in all three first-round matches.

Tunisia have been drawn in Group C and starts their campaign against Uganda in Rabat on December 23, after which they take on Nigeria and Tanzania.

Tunisia are making a record-extending 17th successive appearance at the Cup of Nations finals.

Goalkeepers: Sabri Ben Hassen (Etoile Sahel), Bechir Ben Said (Esperance), Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien), Noureddine Farhati (Stade Tunisien)

Defenders: Ali Abdi (Nice), Mohamed Ben Ali (Esperance), Adem Arous, Mortadha Ben Ouanes (both Kasimpasa), Dylan Bronn (Servette Geneve), Nader Ghandri (Akhmat Grozny), Ali Maaloul (CS Sfaxien), Yassine Meriah (Esperance), Montassar Talbi (Lorient), Yan Valery (Sheffield Wednesday)

Midfielders: Mohamed Haj Mahmoud (Lugano), Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Al Ahly), Ismael Gharbi (Augsburg), Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), Ferjani Sassi (Al Gharafa), Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt), Naim Sliti (Al Shamal), Houssem Tka (Esperance).

Forwards: Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen), Firas Chaouat (Club Africain), Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek), Hazem Mastouri (Dynamo Makhachkala), Elias Saad (Augsburg), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic).

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Morocco coach Walid Regragui has named a powerful 28-man squad as the Atlas Lions prepare to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on home soil in just ten days.

The squad, unveiled on Thursday, features the country’s biggest stars, led by Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.

Despite suffering a serious ankle injury recently, Hakimi has been included and is expected to miss the opening matches, but Regragui insisted his leadership is too important to leave out.

Morocco enter the tournament under immense pressure, widely viewed as favourites after a record run of 18 consecutive victories. The home fans expect nothing less than a title—their first since 1976.

Continuity, depth and tactical flexibility

Regragui’s final list reinforces the spine that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-final and has dominated African football for the past two years.

Defensive leaders Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd return, joined by rising Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, who continues his rapid ascent after debuting in November.

The full-back department remains among the strongest in Africa, with Noussair Mazraoui and Adam Masina complementing Hakimi and young left-back Anass Salah-Eddine.

In midfield, Morocco will rely on a technically gifted and dynamic group including Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui, Oussama Targhalline, and the experienced Sofyan Amrabat.

The attack features an impressive mix of established finishers and emerging talent.

 Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi lead the line, supported by creative wide players Soufiane Rahimi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ilias Akhomach, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Brahim Diaz, who has transformed Morocco’s attacking play since switching allegiance.

Key absences and surprises

One name missing from the main squad is Sofiane Diop, who was involved in November’s fixtures but has been omitted.

Meanwhile, forward Hamza Igamane—one of Morocco’s top scorers in club football this season—has been placed on the reserve list as he continues recovering from a thigh injury.

He is joined by left-back Youssef Belammari, with both players eligible for call-up before the tournament begins.

A tournament Morocco must win

Hosting the tournament has heightened expectations. Regragui, often criticised for his pragmatism, knows that only one outcome will satisfy the public: lifting the trophy in Rabat on January 18.

Morocco, drawn in Group A, will face Comoros, Mali and Zambia as they begin their quest for continental glory.

FULL MOROCCO SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers

• Munir El Kajoui
• Yassine Bounou
• El Mehdi Al Harrar

Defenders

• Achraf Hakimi
• Mohamed Chibi
• Jawad El Yamiq
• Romain Saïss
• Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal
• Nayef Aguerd
• Adam Masina
• Noussair Mazraoui
• Anas Salah-Eddine

Midfielders

• Oussama Targhalline
• Sofyan Amrabat
• Ismael Saibari
• Neil El Aynaoui
• Bilal El Khannouss
• Azzedine Ounahi

Forwards

• Brahim Diaz
• Ilias Akhomach
• Chemsdine Talbi
• Youssef En-Nesyri
• Ayoub El Kaabi
• Soufiane Rahimi
• Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
• Eliesse Ben Seghir

Reserve Players

• Youssef Belammari
• Hamza Igamane

-Cafonline

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H