Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) have shifted into full gear, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the Super Eagles’ pre-tournament training camp will officially open on Wednesday, December 10 in Cairo, Egypt. The team will remain there until just before the start of the tournament in Morocco.
The announcement coincided with head coach Eric Sékou Chelle unveiling a 55-man provisional squad, featuring captain William Troost-Ekong, star striker Victor Osimhen, key midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, and in-form goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
The expanded list also includes Nigeria Premier Football League standouts such as Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke.
A final squad of 28 players will be named in the coming days and are expected to report to Cairo on the opening day of camp.
The Eagles will play two warm-up friendlies, including a high-profile clash against hosts Egypt, though that match is already under threat due to late player releases.
Nigeria will line up in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, with their opening match scheduled for December 23.
Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
AFCON 2025: Club release delays threaten Nigeria’s preparations
Preparations are set to be complicated by staggered release dates from clubs across Europe, forcing the NFF into a series of negotiations as Chelle hopes to work with a full squad as early as possible.
In Italy, Atalanta will only release Ademola Lookman after their Serie A fixture against Cagliari on December 13, according to a TuttoAtalanta report.
Lookman, who has rediscovered form under new boss Raffaele Palladino with two goals and an assist in his last three games, will join the Super Eagles on December 15.
However, this rules him out of Nigeria’s friendly against Egypt set for December 14, making him one of several big-name absentees.
Hull City are reportedly negotiating with the NFF to extend Semi Ajayi’s stay until after their Championship fixture away to Millwall on December 14, meaning he may not join camp until December 15 or 16.
Similarly, Chidozie Awaziem has been cleared to play for Nantes against Angers in Ligue 1 on December 12. He is then expected to travel immediately to join the national team before the French Cup round of 32.
Adding to Chelle’s mounting concerns, Moses Simon will remain with Paris FC until December 14, the exact date of the Egypt friendly, after the French club ruled out early release for all its African players.
Nigeria’s Premier League contingent also face delays.
Iwobi, Chukwueze, and Bassey are all set to feature for Fulham against Burnley on December 13. Tolu Arokodare will be in action for Wolves against Arsenal that same weekend.
Brentford’s Frank Onyeka is expected to play against Leeds on December 14.
The result is that Chelle may have only a fraction of his full-strength squad available during the early days of camp.
Nigeria begin their AFCON campaign against Tanzania on December 23, followed by a heavyweight meeting with Tunisia on December 27, and a crucial third match against Uganda on December 30.
After failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Super Eagles head to Morocco determined to win a fourth AFCON title and restore national pride.