Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been formally assigned their squad numbers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the numbers ahead of Nigeria’s opening Group C fixture against Tanzania on December 23, as head coach Eric Chelle prepares to lead the three-time champions into the tournament running from December 21 to January 18.
Chelle has selected a 28-man squad comprising three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and nine attackers, all of whom now know the shirt numbers they will wear as Nigeria chase a fourth continental crown.
As expected, Francis Uzoho retains the number one jersey, a pointer to his seniority within the squad. However, the former World Cup starter is widely expected to begin the tournament as deputy to Stanley Nwabali, Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper since AFCON 2023. Nwabali keeps his familiar number 23, while the third-choice goalkeeper Amas Obasogie has been allocated number 16.
Across the defence and midfield, continuity dominates. Captain Wilfred Ndidi wears his favoured number four, while Semi Ajayi takes six and Frank Onyeka continues with number eight.
One of the most symbolic changes sees Igho Ogbu handed the prestigious number five, the shirt worn by William Troost-Ekong during his MVP-winning performance at the 2023 AFCON. Troost-Ekong announced his international retirement in November, just weeks before this tournament, making the transfer of the number particularly significant.
Up front, there are few surprises. Victor Osimhen, 2023 Africa Footballer of the Year, wears the iconic number nine, a shirt steeped in Super Eagles history through Rashidi Yekini, Obafemi Martins and Odion Ighalo.
The number seven jersey, immortalised by Segun Odegbami, Finidi George and Ahmed Musa, has been taken by another Africa Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman.
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Super Eagles squad: New faces and famous numbers
Despite his famous lineage, Alex Iwobi has once again declined the legendary number ten shirt associated with his uncle Austin Okocha. The Fulham midfielder remains loyal to number 17, leaving the playmaker’s role to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who will wear number ten in Morocco.
Winger Chidera Ejuke opts for number 24, while one of the tournament’s most intriguing stories belongs to Usman Mohammed. The Ironi Tiberias midfielder, a surprise inclusion in Chelle’s final squad, inherits the revered number 14, a shirt historically tied to Amokachi’s power and later Kelechi Iheanacho, who misses this AFCON through injury.
Tournament debutants are also clearly marked, with Salim Fago Lawal (25), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (26), Ryan Alebiosu (27) and Tochukwu Nnadi (28) all set to experience their first AFCON finals.
After Tanzania, Nigeria face Tunisia on December 27 before concluding their group campaign against Uganda on December 30, with expectations once again high for one of Africa’s most storied football nations.
The full Super Eagles squad numbers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations are as below:
1. Francis Uzoho
2. Bright Osayi-Samuel
3. Zaidu Sanusi
4. Wilfred Ndidi
5. Igho Ogbu
6. Semi Ajayi
7. Ademola Lookman
8. Frank Onyeka
9. Victor Osimhen
10. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
11. Samuel Chukwueze
12. Cyriel Dessers
13. Bruno Onyemaechi
14. Usman Mohammed
15. Moses Simon
16. Amas Obasogie
17. Alex Iwobi
18. Raphael Onyedika
19. Paul Onuachu
20. Chidozie Awaziem
21. Calvin Bassey
22. Akor Adams
23. Stanley Nwabali
24. Chidera Ejuke
25. Salim Fago Lawal
26. Ebenezer Akinsanmiro
27. Ryan Alebiosu
28. Tochukwu Nnadi
