Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, faces a new hurdle. This challenge comes before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently changed its squad rules.
Coach Chelle recently submitted a 55-man provisional list. This marks the initial stage of Nigeria’s tournament preparations.
The provisional list shows progress. However, new CAF rules add pressure. The final squad can now have up to 27 players. This forces the Franco-Malian coach to make difficult choices. The Eagles’ training camp starts on December 8 in Morocco.
Sources indicate Chelle will trim this list significantly. This cut will happen before the December 21 tournament kickoff. Only 24 to 27 players are expected to make the final roster.
CAF will fund expenses for only 23 players. The Super Eagles’ federation must cover the rest. This financial detail now complicates Chelle’s task. He must balance talent with budget constraints.
Many familiar faces appear on the provisional squad. These players have worked with Chelle since he took charge. Yet, some lesser-known talents also made the list. The Eagles aim for their first AFCON title since 2013.
Nigeria’s history of close calls further complicates the coach’s job. Last year, the team reached the AFCON final in Cote d’Ivoire. However, they narrowly missed their fourth continental crown.
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