He knows why - Ekpo backs Chelle’s inclusion of New Players in Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 squad

Former Nigeria international Friday Ekpo has thrown his support behind Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, following widespread reactions to the final 28-man squad list released for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Chelle’s squad, featuring three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and nine forwards, includes several fresh faces who will be making their AFCON debut.

Among these are Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa), Usman Muhammed (Israel), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem) and Lawal Salim Fago (Istra 1961).

Speaking to Completesports.com, Ekpo said he believes the coach has valid reasons for selecting the players he did, particularly in light of injuries to some established squad members.

“Every good player that is not listed in the Super Eagles final squad for AFCON, I believe Eric Chelle knows why,” Ekpo stated.

He added, “For the injured players, I think the coach must have considered the timing of the matches and their fitness date.”

Ekpo further emphasised that squad refreshment is part of the natural evolution of any successful national team.

“Normally, every player takes over from another at some point. The introduction of new players is not a bad idea because these are the players that will form the bedrock of the Super Eagles later,” he explained.

However, he admitted it would have been beneficial if some of the new players had previously been involved in the qualifiers leading up to the tournament.

Nigeria will compete in Group C, facing Tanzania on December 23, Tunisia on December 27, and Uganda on December 30. The team arrives in Morocco amid high expectations as the three-time African champions chase their fourth continental title.