As the Super Eagles prepare to win their fourth Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, head coach Jose Peseiro has announced the 25-man squad for Nigeria’s squad, Soccernet.ng reports.
The team consists of 3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 5 midfielders and 8 strikers, with both experienced faces and promising talent.
Captain Ahmed Musa returns to the team after being sidelined during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.
Some of the highlights include the return of Wilfred Ndidi and the presence of Kenneth Omeruo, who starred in the 2009 U17 World Cup and was part of Nigeria’s winning team in 2013.
The defensive line is led by Omeruo and William Ekon, supported by experienced defenders such as Olaoluwa Aina and Chidojie Awaziem, who have played in various European leagues.
Ndidi is expected to play a key role in midfield alongside players such as Alex Iwobi and Joe Ayodele-Aribo, providing dynamic build-up play.
In attack, Musa leads the line alongside Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and other prolific strikers.
The team will depart for a week-long training camp in Abu Dhabi before arriving in Abidjan to face Equatorial Guinea in their first Group A match on January 14. The clash between Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau continues.
Nigeria have won the tournament three times and have a long history in the African Cup of Nations, winning the title in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
As they strive for glory once again, memories of past successes and a combination of veteran activists and up-and-comers are raising hopes for a successful campaign in Ivory Coast.
Here is the full list of invited players:
Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Zypern); There’s No Place Like Home (Songs FC)
Editor: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Cidozi Awadziem (Boavista FC, Portugal) Bright Osai-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey) William Troost-Ekong (PAOK Thessaloniki, Greece);Bruno Onyemaech (Boavista FC, Portugal)Kenneth Omeruo (Turkey);Sauberer Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion);Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC);Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal) p>
Mitterfeldspieler: 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)
Striker: Ahmed Musa (Sivaspor K, Turkiye); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England). Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (France, FC Nantes) Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy) Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy). Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
