AFCONQ: Ekong leads Super Eagles squad for Benin Republic, Rwanda clashes

The Nigeria Football Federation have announced the Super Eagles squad, led by stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong, for next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda, www.aclsports.com reports.

There are three goalkeepers, including AFCON 2023 star, Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards.

The 2023 AFCON finalists, who just got a new head coach in Bruno Labbadia, will be back in action following a disastrous outing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying run in June.

Ekong, who was the player of the tournament at the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, makes a return from injury to lead the squad, while Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi and embattled Napoli forward Victor Osimhen also return to the squad.

Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie also returns, just as South Africa-based defender Olisa Ndah. In-form goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is part of the team for these games.

Winger Moses Simon, who was injured in the international window back in March, makes a return to the squad.

All the players called up are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, 2nd September.

The Super Eagles will kick-off their qualifying campaign against Gernot Rohr’s Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 7th September, before flying to Rwanda to face Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, 10th September.

FULL SQUAD: 

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

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 (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)