My people, wahala don show face as Nigeria national team dey prepare for AFCON 2025. The main gist be say, our solid right-back, Ola Aina, no go fit join dem for the tournament wey dey come!
Ola Aina na better player wey sabi defend well, but him fall for World Cup qualifier match against South Africa last September. Surgery no gree am recover on time, so head coach Eric Chelle dey face serious challenge to fill the gap.
As e be now, na Benjamin Fredrick wey dey play for Dender in Belgium go carry the torch for right-back position. But make we no forget, say oga Chelle don call up Ryan Alebiosu from Blackburn Rovers for im first national team chance – e dey hot like fire! Other newbies wey join the squad na Usman Muhammed, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Salim Fago Lawal. Na five fresh players dey join Nigeria chariots.
We still get Tolu Arokodare wey don try for the last CAF World Cup playoff, but oga Chelle no put am for this AFCON squad. Instead, im don call back Cyriel Dessers and Paul Onuachu to fit support Victor Osimhen for front. But lemme talk am clear, Maduka Okoye dey missing for the call-up, and na big surprise! Him don also play plenty matches for Udinese this season, wey make am second-choice keeper before now.
Nigeria don reach AFCON final before, but for 2023, dem scattered like jigsaw puzzle after dem lose to host nation Ivory Coast. Di opening match for AFCON 2025 go show our real strength as we dey face Tanzania on December 23. E go be battle to prove we still dey among di giants!
For di goalposts, we fit get Stanley Nwabali from Chippa United, Amas Obasogie from Singida Blackstars, and Francis Uzoho wey dey Omonia FC. Dem dey waka follow plenty talented defenders like Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel. E get as dem all fit combine!
As we dey look forward, AFCON 2025 go hold for Morocco from December 21 to January 18, 2026. Na celebration and loyalty we go see as dem prepare for dis big tournament! Morocco don host dis tournament before, and dem prepare serious to show dem get more than what it takes!
Omo Naija, make we carry our passion go put for dis tournament; no mind wetin dem dey talk. E go sweet as we dey root for our boys, and we go maintain this Naija spirit throughout di tournament. Nigeria, we dey with you!
Make we no forget say for AFCON, no be just ball dem dey play but unity, culture, and our beloved football dey shine!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
