With the countdown now on to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a firm deadline for all qualified national teams among them the Super Eagles of Nigeria to submit their final player lists.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on 21 December 2025, hosted by Morocco. CAF has set 11 December 2025 as the cutoff date for the submission of each nation’s definitive squad.
According to the announcement, coaches will need to lock in their final roster by that date in order to be eligible for participation in the finals.
For the Super Eagles, led by head coach Eric Chelle, the clock is ticking. With domestic and overseas player commitments, last-minute fitness concerns and competition for places all factoring in, the list will likely reflect a blend of experience and emerging talent.
The deadline means Chelle has limited time to finalize his squad plans, manage logistics and ensure registrations are complete with CAF.
The stakes are high. The tournament format features 24 teams divided into six groups of four; the top two teams from each group along with the four best third-placed teams will advance from the group phase. For Nigeria, a country with rich AFCON heritage, assembling the right squad in time will be a key piece of the puzzle.
For Chelle, meeting the deadline is only the first challenge making the right selection, managing form and fitness, and galvanising the team in the run-up to the finals are now his immediate priorities. The Super Eagles’ fans will be watching closely as the 11 December target approaches.
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