Super Eagles: 4 newbies who could gatecrash AFCON 2025 squad

Eric Chelle has moved quietly but decisively in recent weeks as he trims down his Super Eagles options for AFCON 2025. 

The provisional list has been handed in to CAF, and although the final squad remains under wraps, murmurs around the Super Eagles setup suggest that several new faces have edged closer than ever to breaking into the team. After missing out on the 2026 World Cup, the mood around the camp has shifted toward recalibration, fresh energy, younger legs, and profiles that can help Nigeria avoid the drift that began after the last AFCON final in Abidjan.

The competition in Morocco begins in less than a month, and internal conversations indicate that Chelle wants to open more windows within the squad. Established names remain part of the foundation, but the door has been left ajar for emerging players making persuasive cases across Europe.

The Super Eagles will walk into a tournament where the margins are narrower than they were two years ago, and the technical crew recognises the need to expand the depth chart.

The group stage will demand immediate clarity. Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda present three contrasting problems in quick succession, and Chelle’s staff has used the last international breaks to identify players who can give the team flexibility. That search has led them to several young Nigerians who have matured rapidly this season and now stand on the edge of their first major tournament.

Arthur Okonkwo

Arthur Okonkwo is one of the names gaining real traction. His steady rise in the Championship has given scouts and analysts enough material to judge him beyond promise. The Wrexham goalkeeper looks increasingly secure in high-pressure phases, handling aerial traffic with improved timing and showing sharper reactions in tight moments. His clean sheet at Ipswich underscored that development.

He enters this AFCON cycle at a moment when Nigeria’s goalkeeping conversation is wide open. Stanley Nwabali’s penalty heroics remain memorable, but his inconsistencies in regular play have kept the competition alive and third choice Amas Obasogie has drifted to the fringes in Tanzania.

Maduka Okoye’s resurgence at Udinese means the top two spots appear secure, but the third slot is now within reach. If Chelle wants a goalkeeper trending upward rather than sideways, the door is wide open for Okonkwo.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has built a strong argument in Italy with a level of maturity that belies his age. Pisa have leaned on him throughout the campaign, and his willingness to dictate phases of play, cover ground and connect transitions has elevated him into one of Serie A’s best Under-21 players.

His presence has not gone unnoticed within Nigeria’s circles. The Super Eagles midfield has been questioned repeatedly in recent months, slow reactions, soft duels and predictable passing patterns have become recurring criticisms. Akinsanmiro’s mobility and awareness offer something different from what Nigeria has shown recently.

Chelle is finalising his numbers for AFCON 2025, and leaving him out of the extended squad would raise genuine surprise considering how naturally he fills the gaps analysts have identified.

Ryan Alebiosu

Ryan Alebiosu has surged into relevance this season with a style of play that is difficult to ignore. The Blackburn full-back brings width, direct running and a delivery technique that can tilt games from the flanks. His performances have made his name one of the most discussed among Nigerian-eligible full-backs in Europe.

With Ola Aina still managing his recovery process, the Super Eagles may need reinforcement on the right side. Alebiosu’s athletic profile and attacking instincts provide the kind of vertical threat that Chelle has been trying to incorporate into his approach.

His recent acquisition of a Nigerian passport only strengthened the conversation. If Aina does not return at full capacity, Alebiosu becomes an immediate consideration rather than a long-term project.

Chibuike Nwaiwu

Chibuike Nwaiwu has been one of the most consistent players in the Austrian Bundesliga this season. Wolfsberger rely heavily on his physical presence, aerial command and composure in defensive build-up. At 22, he has grown into a leadership role faster than expected.

Beyond his defensive qualities, his ability to switch into midfield gives him tactical value. That versatility has caught Chelle’s eye, especially as the tournament will demand players capable of adjusting to multiple shapes.

Nigeria have names in central defence, but very few carry Nwaiwu’s mix of athletic range, height and ground coverage. If the Super Eagles want to reduce reliance on ageing defenders, he becomes a timely option.