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SHS
AFCON 2025
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Fans have questioned Eric Chelle's decision to shortlist 54 players for the Super Eagles 2025 AFCON squad with less than 3 weeks left to kick off
With the Africa Cup of Nations just 19 days away, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a massive 54-man provisional list, a release that has stirred more frustration than excitement among Nigerian fans.
The unusually long shortlist comes despite CAF’s December 11 deadline for final squad submissions, leaving many supporters questioning the timing and purpose of such an expanded group.
Fans furious over length of Chelle’s provisional list
Chelle’s list features an eye-catching 23 forwards, 12 midfielders, 13 defenders, six goalkeepers, and a handful of debutants, confirming that major decisions still lie ahead.
The announcement effectively signals the end of Ahmed Musa’s long run with the national team, while also fuelling speculation around the availability of injured stars Ola Aina and Felix Agu.
But the loudest reactions online have been aimed squarely at Chelle’s approach. Many fans believe releasing such a long list with so little time remaining is unnecessary and disruptive.
One user on X vented, “Waste of time, just drop the 23-man squad,” while another fumed, “There’s literally no sense in dropping any stupid preliminary list. Competition starts in less than 4 weeks, oga.”
A third chimed in with even sharper frustration: “Your mates have started releasing their final squad list. With just 2 weeks to go, you're still releasing list of 100 players.”
Debuts, omissions, and uncertainty as Super Eagles countdown begins
The provisional list brings a mix of fresh faces and familiar names as Chelle prepares to cut the group down to 27.
New call-ups such as Ebenezer Harcourt, Peter Agba, and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro have attracted comments, while the continued absence of some experienced veterans has caused debate among supporters.
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Meanwhile, the returns of Ola Aina and Felix Agu remain uncertain as the pair recover from injuries, creating further questions about the defence after the exit of Benjamin Fredrick as well.
Heading into a demanding Group C that includes Tunisia, Uganda, and opening-day opponents Tanzania on December 23, Nigeria’s AFCON ambitions will ultimately depend on Chelle’s ability to trim this oversized list quickly and effectively.