Nigeria's preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have been overshadowed by significant debate and criticism following the release of head coach Eric Chelle’s final 28-man Super Eagles squad. The roster, unveiled on a Thursday, has sparked immediate and intense discussion within the Nigerian football community, with opinions sharply divided.

One of the most notable points of contention is the inclusion of Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu. The English Championship club has openly voiced its disappointment, stating that the timing of his call-up is far from ideal. Blackburn Rovers are currently battling to stay out of the relegation zone, sitting just five points above it, and consider Alebiosu a key player. He has quickly become crucial to their defence, providing both stability and attacking support as a versatile right-back. Should Nigeria reach the AFCON final, Alebiosu could be unavailable until January 18, 2026, potentially missing up to seven or eight crucial league matches for his club. Despite the club's disappointment, they expressed pride in Alebiosu’s progress and his achievement of international recognition for the first time in his career.

The tournament is scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with Morocco serving as the host nation. Coach Chelle’s squad composition, which includes three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and nine forwards, suggests a manager willing to take calculated risks. The balance between experienced players and experimentation has particularly raised eyebrows.

Several relatively unfamiliar names at the international level have made the list, including Blackburn Rovers full-back Ryan Alebiosu, Pisa midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Israel-based Usman Muhammed (from Ironi Tiberias in the top flight, though initially misreported as second division by a critic), Zulte Waregem defender Tochukwu Nnadi, and Istra 1961 striker Lawal Salim Fago. Their selection, alongside the omission of more established European-based players, has fueled a significant split in opinion.

Former Super Eagles midfielder Friday Ekpo has adopted a conciliatory stance, urging patience and understanding. He argued that only Coach Chelle truly understands the logic behind his choices, suggesting that factors like injuries, fitness timelines, and long-term squad planning could have influenced the final list. Speaking with SportingLife, Ekpo emphasized that