Nigeria will not be at the 2026 World Cup, but the “Super Eagles” have the opportunity to save their season in Morocco. Dominated on penalties in the final of the African play-offs by the Democratic Republic of Congo (1-1, 5-4 on the tabs), the Nigerians approach the CAN 2025 after a painful experience. As outgoing finalists, however, they remain contenders for the succession of Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria calendar
The list of selected players
Guardians: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa Utd/AFS), Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia/CHY), Amas Obasogie (Singida SC/TAN).
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham/Ajayi (Hull City/ANG), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto/POR), Bruno Onyemaci (Olympiakos/GRE), Igoh Ogbu (Slavea Prague/RTC), Chidozie Awazem (Nantes/FRA), Bright Oymaui-Samuli-Samuel (Birmingham/ANG). Alebiose (Blackburn/AG).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas/TUR), Alex Iwobi (Fulham/ANG), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio/ITA), Raphael Onyedika (Club Bruges/BEL), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pise/ITA), Frank Onyeka (Brentford/ANG), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem/BEL), Usman Mohammed (Tiberias/ISR).
Attackers: Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray/TUR), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/ITA), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham/ANG), Chidera Ejuke (Séville/ESP), Moses Simon (Paris FC/FRA), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor/TUR), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos/GRE), Akor Adams (Seville/ESP), Salim Fago Lawal (NK Instra/CRO).
The player to watch: Victor Osimhen
The “Super Eagles” will be led by one of the three best African players of the year 2025. The absence of Victor Osimhen at the start of qualifying for the World Cup was detrimental to Nigeria, for whom he scored 31 times in 46 caps. His departure from Napoli to Galatasaray in the summer of 2024 took the 26-year-old striker off the radar somewhat, but he continued to pile up the goals in Türkiye.
Back in the Champions League with his club, the former Lille player had a thunderous league phase. He thus offered victory to his team against Liverpool (1-0) or scored a hat-trick at Ajax (3-0). The CAN will be an opportunity to benefit from his talent up close.
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