AFCON qualifiers: Eguavoen shortlists 23 players for Benin, Rwanda clashes

By Tosin Omojola

Captain William Ekong, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, dynamic winger Moses Simon, reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, and 19 other players have been called up as Nigeria aims for six points in their upcoming clashes against Benin Republic and Rwanda, the final rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Head coach Augustine Eguavoen has included goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, along with midfielders Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi. Forward options feature Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Samuel Chukwueze.

Home-based defender Victor Collins will join the squad for the first time, while tall forward Sadiq Umar, who plays for Real Sociedad in Spain, returns to the lineup. Additional defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi have been named, and Gabriel Osho, based in France, hopes to make his competitive debut for Nigeria following a missed call-up in the summer due to injury.

The Super Eagles are set to depart directly for Abidjan on November 11 to face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny on November 14. They will then return to Uyo for the final qualifier against the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on November 18.

Currently topping Group D, the Super Eagles need only a point against Benin to secure a spot in the final tournament. This would bring them to 11 points, with only Rwanda able to match their points tally.

With seven goals scored and none conceded—thanks to the CAF Disciplinary Board’s award of three points and three goals from the forfeited Matchday 4 fixture against Libya—the Super Eagles hold a strong lead over Rwanda, who have a goal deficit and five points going into the last two matchdays.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)

Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)

Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders:

William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia)

Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey)

Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)

Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France)

Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)

Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA)

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy)

Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany)

Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards:

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)

Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)

Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)

Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)