Five Fresh Faces: Everything you need to know about Super Eagles' AFCON 2025 newcomers

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has unveiled his final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025, featuring established stars like Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Stanley Nwabali. 

But buried beneath the headline names were five relatively unknown face, from 10 named in the initial list, players who've never worn the green-and-white on the senior stage, yet now find themselves preparing for Africa's most prestigious tournament.

The Super Eagles are hoping for a strong showing after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following their play-off defeat to DR Congo. 

For Chelle, who has been urged by former coach Sunday Oliseh to be tactically clear and employ a more compact game after Nigeria's loose performance against DR Congo, these newcomers represent fresh blood, players unburdened by past disappointments, eager to prove themselves.

But the biggest question heading to AFCON 2025 is - can they handle the pressure? Let's break down each one.

• Position: Right-back / Right Midfielder

• Age: 23

• Club: Blackburn Rovers (EFL Championship)

The Story: Growing up in London with Nigerian parents, Alebiosu never treated choosing between England and Nigeria as a difficult decision; the green-white-green shaped him early.

He joined Arsenal's academy at age 8 in 2010 and turned professional in 2020, spending over a decade in the Gunners' system before loan spells at Crewe Alexandra, Kilmarnock, St. Mirren, and KV Kortrijk in Belgium. 

In July 2025, he signed a three-year deal with Blackburn Rovers, where he has featured in every single game this season.

Attacking Output:

• 1 goal and 2 assists in 19 Championship appearances

• 1.3 key passes per game

• 7 big chances created

• Versatile: Can operate as a right-back or push into right midfield

Defensive Solidity:

• 2.2 tackles per game

• 0.8 interceptions per game

• 3.1 recoveries per game

• 0.5 times dribbled past per game

He loses possession frequently, perhaps a consequence of his attacking ambition, but his consistency earned him three consecutive Player of the Month awards at Blackburn, something that caught Chelle's attention during a personal visit to watch him play in England.

With Ola Aina dealing with injury concerns and Benjamin Fredricks unavailable, Alebiosu arrives as the primary cover for Nigeria's right flank. 

He's a like-for-like replacement for Aina, aggressive, forward-thinking, and capable of delivering crosses from dangerous positions.

Chelle's preferred 4-4-2 diamond formation typically requires full-backs to provide width, making Alebiosu's attacking instincts crucial. 

But questions remain: Can he handle the physicality and pace of top African forwards? And will his tendency to lose possession become a liability under tournament pressure?

• Verdict: High ceiling, but untested at this level. Expect a steep learning curve.

• Position: Defensive Midfield

• Age: 31

• Club: Ironi Tiberias (Israeli Premier League)

 The Story: Mohammed is a ball-progressing defensive midfielder who loves switching play with long passes, but his inclusion raises VERY serious eyebrows.

Passing & Distribution:

• 86% pass accuracy

• 2.3 long passes per game (52% accuracy)

• Solid in possession, good ball circulation

Defensive Work:

• 1.6 tackles per game

• 1.1 interceptions per game

• 6.6 recoveries per game (strong third-phase defending)

• 0.7 dribbles completed per game (press-resistant)

DISCIPLINE.

In just 11 matches this season, Mohamed has accumulated 7 yellow cards and 1 red card. That's almost a booking per game, a catastrophic stat for a tournament setting where squad depth is crucial and suspensions can derail campaigns.

Additionally, he gets dribbled past 0.9 times per game, suggesting vulnerabilities in one-on-one situations.

Mohamed's invitation is puzzling. The Super Eagles already have established midfield anchors like Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika. 

Why risk a player with such poor discipline when one mistimed tackle in the knockout rounds could cost Nigeria their tournament?

Sunday Oliseh emphasised the need for Nigeria to be more compact and avoid being "too loose, too open", yet Mohamed's aggressive, foul-prone style contradicts this philosophy.

• Verdict: A baffling selection. Unlikely to feature unless injuries force Chelle's hand.

• Position: Central Midfield

• Age: 21

• Club: Pisa (Serie A, on loan from Inter Milan) 

The Story: Akinsanmiro came through Remo Stars in the NPFL before moving to Inter Milan, and is now on loan at Pisa, where he's been one of the standout midfielders in Italy's tier 1 league.

Technical Quality:

• 89% pass accuracy (excellent retention)

• 1.6 long passes per game (67% accuracy)

• 1.5 successful dribbles per game

• 1 assist this season

Defensive Contribution:

• 0.9 interceptions per game

• 1.7 tackles per game

• 5.5 recoveries per game

• Only dribbled past 0.5 times per game

Like Mohamed, Akinsanmiro has discipline issues. 1 yellow card and 1 red card already this season. For a player of his age and inexperience, getting sent off in a competitive league raises questions about his decision-making under pressure.

However, his technical ability is undeniable. He's press-resistant, comfortable carrying the ball, and capable of progressing play through the lines, qualities Nigeria desperately needs in midfield.

Akinsanmiro is expected to bring technical skills and creativity into the Super Eagles midfield. Chelle's diamond formation emphasises midfield control and attacking fluidity, and Akinsanmiro's ability to dribble, pass, and recover makes him an intriguing option as a box-to-box midfielder.

The bigger question: Will Chelle trust a 21-year-old from Serie A in a must-win knockout game?

• Verdict: Exciting talent with high upside, but needs to control his temperament. Could be a game-changer off the bench

• Position: Defensive Midfield / Central Midfield

• Age: 22

• Club: Zulte Waregem (Belgian First Division 1)

The Story: Nnadi sealed his move to Belgian second-division club Zulte Waregem from Botev Plovdiv in Bulgaria after impressing at the 2023 U-20 World Cup with the Flying Eagles.

Since then, he's been nothing short of exceptional. He has featured in 15 matches this season in the Jupiler, missing only two due to suspension, and is considered physically equipped and mentally ready for top-level football. 

Premier League scouts describe him as "relentless," "explosive in recovery," and "Premier League-ready physically," with West Ham reportedly preparing a £3.5 million bid.

Defensive Beast:

• 85% pass accuracy

• 2.7 long passes per game

• 2.1 tackles per game

• 1.1 interceptions per game

• 5.4 recoveries per game

• 2.5 clearances per game

• 4.6 duels per game

• 1.1 aerial duels won per game (best among all five newcomers)

Discipline. Again.

6 yellow cards and 1 red card this season. Nnadi is the most defensively minded of the new midfielders, but his aggressive style comes with risks.

Additionally, he only completes 0.2 dribbles per game, indicating limited ability to carry the ball forward, his role is strictly defensive.

Nnadi is the enforcer Nigeria needs when defending leads or shutting down opponents' playmakers. Described as someone who can "win duels, break up play and drive his team forward with simple, progressive passes", he's the kind of no-nonsense midfielder who excels in tournament football.

Given Raphael Onyedika, one of the most experienced and accomplished, has struggled for minutes under Chelle, Nnadi could find himself higher in the pecking order than expected.

• Verdict: A warrior. If Nigeria needs to grind out a result, Nnadi is the man. But can he stay on the pitch?

• Position: Left Wing / Striker

• Age: 22

• Club: Istra 1961 (Croatian First League)

The Story: Lawal is the wildcard—a high-intensity, versatile forward tearing it up in Croatia with 4 goals and 2 assists in 15 appearances.

Attacking Threat:

• 4 goals, 2 assists in 15 matches (started all but one)

• 4 big chances created

• Can play left wing or striker

Work Rate & Pressing:

• 0.3 interceptions per game

• 1.0 tackles per game

• 0.9 possessions won in the final third per game

• 3.3 recoveries per game

• 1.0 successful dribbles per game

• 4.4 duels per game

• 1.2 aerial duels won per game

• 2 yellow cards (disciplined compared to the midfielders)

Chelle's attacking unit already includes Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu, Moses Simon, Chidera Ejuke, Cyriel Dessers, and Akor Adams, leaving little room for Lawal to break into the starting XI.

However, his high pressing and intensity could make him a valuable impact substitute. Nigeria has historically relied on wing play, and former players like Mutiu Adepoju have warned Chelle against abandoning this traditional style. 

Lawal's ability to press from the front while offering width makes him a tactical option for specific game situations.

A squad player at best, but his energy could be crucial in late-game scenarios or against weaker opposition.

Chelle has taken a massive risk by including five untested players in a tournament squad. With Nigeria having failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to DR Congo, the Super Eagles desperately need a strong AFCON showing.

Chelle is known for his 4-3-1-2 and 4-4-2 diamond formations, which emphasise midfield control, attacking width, and defensive stability. 

The new midfielders, particularly Nnadi and Akinsanmiro, offer qualities Nigeria has historically lacked: press resistance, ball recovery, and physicality.

The elephant in the room is discipline. Across the five newcomers, there are 16 yellow cards and 3 red cards this season alone. In a tournament where one suspension can derail momentum, this is a ticking time bomb.

These newcomers must compete with established stars like Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru for just two midfield spots. 

The reality is that most of them will spend the tournament on the bench, unless injuries or suspensions force Chelle's hand.

Alebiosu will likely feature since Aina is out. Akinsanmiro and Nnadi are the most intriguing; both have qualities Nigeria desperately needs, but both carry significant risks. Mohamed and Lawal are depth options at best.

Ultimately, these five players represent Eric Chelle's vision for the future. Whether they sink or swim in Morocco will determine not just Nigeria's AFCON campaign, but Chelle's credibility as the man to restore the Super Eagles to glory.