2 months ago
25 Ahead of the Super Eagles’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying games against Benin Republic and Rwanda on September 7 and 10 respectively, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to announce a 23-man squad this week to execute the two matches, Completesports.com reports.
Sources within the NFF revealed that the embattled reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, has made the 40-player provisional list, alongside Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Chris Ekong, Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Semi Ajayi, Boniface, Osayi, Tanimu, and Sadiq Umar. Three or two home-based players are also expected to be included in the final list.
Osimhen will be making a return to Super Eagles’ assignment after missing the team’s two 2026 World Cup qualifying games in June against South Africa in Uyo and against Benin Republic in Abidjan which ended 1-1 and in 2-1 defeat respectively.
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Osimhen’s reputation has not been the same following his widely reported and critiqued comment against the Super Eagles’ Head Coach at that time, Finidi George, over the coach’s alleged sticks directed at him (Osimhen), accusing him of unpatriotism during a meeting with the Sports Minister to appraise the national team’s poor performances against South Africa and Benin Republic. Osimhen is also expected to defy distractions from the uncertainty surrounding his next club career destination and impress against Benin and Rwanda.
NFF’s Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen, who has been drafted in to serve as interim Super Eagles coach, is expected to select 23 players from the 40-man provisional list to execute the two games.
“Eguavoen will take charge of the Super Eagles pending the conclusion of our search for a new manager. We are in discussions with two coaches whom we believe will do a good job as our national team’s Head Coach. The only hindrance is determining how much we can afford to pay the foreign coach and securing the funds to ensure prompt payment,” a top NFF board member disclosed to Completesports.com.
The source added: “We don’t want to owe our coaches any longer, which is why we are working around the clock to ensure that we have the necessary funds to pay whoever we contract as the next Super Eagles gaffer. Many European coaches are interested in handling the Super Eagles, but our main challenge is affordability and ensuring prompt payment.”
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A member of the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee, who spoke anonymously, also revealed that the committee has made recommendations to the NFF regarding the selection of coaches for both the Super Eagles and the Flying Eagles.
“We have done our part by recommending the coaches we believe are the best for the Super Eagles and Flying Eagles. It is now up to the NFF Executive Committee to announce and sign them on. I think we did a thorough job, and all things being equal, the coaches will perform well with our national teams,” the source said.
“I cannot tell you when the coaches are expected to resume because that decision rests with the NFF president and his Executive Committee members. I don’t know whether the NFF will be able to finalize the coaches’ contracts before our two AFCON games next month.”
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
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