After being sidelined due to injury during the previous international break, forward Victor Osimhen has made his return to the Super Eagles as interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen has announced a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s remaining 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers later this month.
Nigeria has two crucial matches left in the qualifiers, with a game against Benin Republic in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on November 14 and a home tie with Rwanda in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on November 18.
The Super Eagles need just one point from these two encounters to secure their place in the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
Osimhen, who has impressed with four goals and three assists in seven appearances for Galatasaray this season, will bolster Nigeria’s attack alongside Ademola Lookman, who has been in scintillating form for Atalanta, scoring seven goals and contributing five assists in 12 matches across all competitions.
Eguavoen has also recalled several new faces, including AJ Auxerre defender Gabriel Osho, who missed out on his first national team appearance earlier this year due to injury, and Nasarawa United’s Victor Collins, who earns his maiden call-up. In a surprising move, Real Sociedad’s Sadiq Umar makes a return to the national team setup after a period of absence.
Other notable inclusions are Kelechi Iheanacho, Maduka Okoye, and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, rounding out the strong 23-man squad set to face Benin and Rwanda.
Full 23-Man Squad:
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).
