Boluwatife Kehinde
As the Africa Cup of Nations draws near, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has endorsed updated squad regulations that will influence how teams prepare for the 2025 edition of the tournament.
According to CAF the changes are intended to help coaches better manage injuries, suspensions, and tactical requirements during what is expected to be a tightly packed competition schedule.
Under the revised rule which also applies to Nigeria participating teams can now register up to 27 players for major tournaments.
However, CAF will cover the expenses of only 23 players, including travel, accommodation, and other logistics. The remaining four players will be financially supported by their respective national federations.
Ahead of the 2025 AFCON, slated to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is expected to unveil a provisional squad soon.
Nigeria will be aiming for a fourth continental crown after finishing as runners-up at the previous tournament, where they lost 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast.
On Tuesday, the Super Eagles’ official X account hinted at the coming announcement, posting: “Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad announcement coming up.”
Reports indicate that head coach Eric Chelle has already submitted a 55-man provisional list to the NFF. This squad will later be reduced, with several newcomers anticipated to receive call-ups for the pre-tournament training camp.
The Super Eagles’ camp is set to open on Monday, December 8, with a series of warm-up friendlies planned before the team departs for Morocco.
Nigeria will kick off their AFCON campaign on December 23, 2025, against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Fès. Tunisia will face Uganda the same day at the Stade Annexe of Prince Moulay in Rabat.
Nigeria will feature in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
