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Days out from the opening ceremony in Rabat and AFCON is already creeping into the conversation again. It always does. Think back to the recent one in Ivory Coast. The late goals, the mood swings, the sense that anything could happen at any moment. AFCON rarely behaves the way you expect it to, and that’s the point. This one in Morocco feels no different. If anything, it feels primed to give us even more noise, more colour, and more of the beautiful chaos the tournament does better than anyone else.
Nigeria’s route through AFCON 2025 starts in Group C, against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, a section that feels straightforward on paper but rarely is once the ball starts rolling.
Éric Chelle’s squad for the tournament dropped earlier this week. Five new names on it, all first-time call-ups. As ever with a Super Eagles list, the reactions came quickly and from every angle. Praise, scepticism, frustration, curiosity. No selection ever lands quietly, and this one was no different.
But all that aside, it’s worth pausing on the new arrivals, and what they offer, and how they might shift the team.
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First up is Ryan Alebiosu. The 23-year-old right-back plies his trade at Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship. This season he’s made 21 appearances, scoring once, adding two assists. Comfortable both at right-back and further up the pitch in right midfield, he offers some versatility.
A product of the Arsenal academy, the London-born defender chose Nigeria over England, a decision that adds another layer to an already intriguing squad. With uncertainty at right-back, Ola Aina out, and Benjamin Frederick unavailable, Ryan’s inclusion makes sense.
On the pitch, he’s calm in possession, confident under pressure, and isn’t afraid to push high when the opportunity arises. He may not displace Bright Osayi-Samuel in the starting XI, but he is someone the team can rely on when called upon.
Next is Ebenezer Akinsanmiro. Nigeria’s midfield has reached a point where it needs someone with his profile. A proper central midfielder, press-resistant, physical, and technically capable.
His rise hasn’t been handed to him. Akinsanmiro moved from Beyond Limits Football Academy in Ikenne to Inter Milan in 2023, and is currently on loan at Pisa, where he’s been racking up minutes. He’s been remarkably consistent this season, and a key part of whatever small successes Pisa have managed.
He may not yet displace established names like Ndidi or Onyeka, but when the team needs energy, tenacity, and fresh legs in the middle, Ebenezer is exactly the kind of player Nigeria can turn to.
Salim Fago Lawal is next. Nigeria are not short of attacking stars, but Lawal’s value lies in what he can offer late in games.
He runs aggressively, carries the ball directly and plays with a sense of urgency that can disrupt tired defences. Against opponents sitting deep, his willingness to attack space rather than wait for it can change the tempo.
He is unlikely to start ahead of established names, but AFCON is full of moments decided by substitutes. Lawal has been included to be ready for those moments.
Tochukwu Nnadi comes next. Alongside Salim Fago, he featured for Nigeria’s U20 squad at the 2023 World Cup, and anyone who has watched him knows he is a natural defensive midfielder. He tackles hard, covers ground tirelessly, and reads danger before it arrives.
In a tournament like AFCON, where midfield battles are physical, repetitive, and mentally demanding, and the game is intense all round, Nnadi understands that side of football, and he thrives in that space.
Finally, there’s Usman Muhammed. I won’t pretend I’m bursting with excitement over this call-up. His age raises questions, and there are younger players who could have been considered. Even if experience is the key, there are others who might fit more seamlessly into the team.
That said, looking at his record, Muhammed currently plays for Israeli side Ironi Tiberias. He isn’t without credentials. Some will remember him scoring against Atletico Madrid for the Nigeria U23s seven and a half years ago. He was also part of the team that won bronze at the 2016 Olympics, playing in every game.
So yes, there’s a case for his inclusion. He brings experience, someone who has been on a global stage and came home with a medal. That kind of background can be valuable in the middle of the park, even if he isn’t the flashiest option.
Every new call-up is bound to raise eyebrows. And, fair enough, when opportunities aren’t given, it’s hard to know what a player can deliver. You can argue saying, “but not in a place like the AFCON”. Even considering that the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the World Cup, that argument will be valid. But everyone, at some point, has to be given a chance.
Now it’s down to the players. When the call comes, it’s on them to perform. No excuses.
