AFCON 2025: Osimhen recalled to Super Eagles for Benin Republic and Rwanda

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to return to action this month for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches.

The team will be led by new coach Bruno Labbadia recently unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

For his first games in charge, Labbadia has decided to recall some players to the national team set up.

The Super Eagles have welcomed back captain William Ekong, wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, and attackers Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Rwanda and Benin Republic next month.

The AFCON player of the tournament, Ekong, was sidelined for the entirety of Matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying competition in June due to injury, while Aina, Awoniyi, and the current Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, were all sidelined.

There are three goalkeepers (one of whom is Stanley Nwabali, a star for the AFCON 2023), seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven strikers.

Taiwo Awoniyi, who has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo on Matchday 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign in November of last year, returns along with Bendel Insurance' Amas Obasogie.

On Monday, September 2nd, all players are required to report to Uyo.

On Saturday, September 7, the Super Eagles play the Benin Republic's Cheetahs at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. On Tuesday, September 10, they travel to Kigali to play the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium.

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)

William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)