Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand has expressed disappointment over the omission of Nathan Tella from Nigeria’s final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle released his final 28-man list on Thursday, December 11, in line with the deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for all participating teams.
Tella, who only recently returned to action after a prolonged injury layoff, was left out of the squad despite earlier indications from Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes that the winger was expected to be part of Nigeria’s plans for the tournament in Morocco.
Speaking ahead of Leverkusen’s Bundesliga fixture against Cologne, Hjulmand admitted that while the player’s availability is a boost for the club, the decision was a difficult one for Tella to accept.
“This is beneficial for Leverkusen, of course,” Hjulmand told Die Zeit. “But Nathan had hopes real hopes of being part of the Super Eagles squad.”
Tella’s exclusion adds to the list of notable absentees from Chelle’s AFCON squad, a decision that has continued to generate debate among fans, media, and stakeholders ahead of the continental showpiece.
