Fulham manager Marco Silva anticipates a challenging period. Three key players have joined Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad. Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey received call-ups.

Fulham is now the only club contributing three players to the Super Eagles. This brings immense pride to the club. However, it also presents a significant challenge for Silva. He faces a congested fixture list ahead.

Impact on Fulham’s Campaign

These three players are vital to Fulham’s season. Iwobi serves as Silva’s trusted problem-solver. He moves seamlessly between midfield and attack. Bassey provides consistent defence. He has grown into a reliable Premier League defender.

Chukwueze joined on loan from AC Milan. He had a slow start but has now found excellent form. He recently scored two goals. He also provided two assists in his last four games.

Their absence creates a big void for the team. Fulham is entering a very busy part of their season. This timing adds to the manager’s concerns.

Silva’s Preparedness and Strategy

Silva spoke on Thursday about the situation. He admitted the challenge is clear. Yet, he insisted the club was ready for this moment.

“We knew this would happen,” Silva stated. “We will not panic about its impact.”

He explained further: “We are losing three starting players. Alex is key, regardless of his position. Calvin is very important defensively. Chukwueze’s recent form is excellent. We must find solutions now. If you have other ideas for AFCON, tell me.”

The trio is expected to play against Burnley this weekend. This is a crucial Premier League match. Afterward, they will travel to Egypt for a pre-tournament camp. The main AFCON competition will be held in Morocco.

Should the Super Eagles reach the final, the players could miss many games. They might be absent for up to seven matches. These include the EFL Cup tie against Newcastle. Several league fixtures are also affected. These are against Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Leeds. The last potential absence is on January 17.

AFCON 2025 Tournament Details

AFCON 2025 runs from December 21 to January 18. Nigeria starts its campaign on December 23. Their first opponent is Tanzania. They will then face Tunisia and Uganda in Group C.

The Super Eagles last won AFCON in 2013. They arrive in Morocco with high hopes. The team aims to end a twelve-year title drought. They seek their fourth continental crown.