AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Osimhen out, Ejuke and Awoniyi return as Eguavoen names 23-man squad for Libya clash

Victor Boniface, Chidera Ejuke, and Ademola Lookman are some of the stars who have been called up by Augustine Eguavoen for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers double-header against Lybia, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles will continue their fight for a 2025 AFCON ticket later this month, when they take on Lybia in a double-header.

Recall that the qualifiers kicked off in September, and Nigeria started on the front foot, picking a 3-0 win over Benin in Uyo before playing out a goalless against Rwanda in Kigali.

This time, the Super Eagles will be looking to affirm their prowess in group D by defeating Lybia. Ahead of the double-header, interim coach Eguavoen has named a 23-man shortlist to execute the games.

Sevilla man Ejuke is one the the notable additions to the team, as he returns to the Super Eagles fold after two years away from the team. He will be accompanied by his club teammate Kelechi Iheanacho, who has been a regular.

Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen was not included due to his injury at Galatasaray, but in-form Boniface will be looking to full that vacuum.

There have been talks that Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo could be called up. However, there is no space for him, as the usual protagonists like Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Captain William Troost-Ekong keep their spots.

Full Super Eagles 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); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, England).

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); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England).

The Super Eagles camp will open, and most of the players are expected to arrive on Monday as most of them have games on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

The first leg against Libya will take place next Friday in Uyo. Then the return leg will be played at the Matyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi on October 15.