Super Eagles’ Ola Aina ruled out of AFCON 2025

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche has confirmed that Nigerian defender Olaoluwa Aina will not be available for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco later this month.

The 30-year-old recently returned to training after a hamstring injury sustained during international duty with Nigeria in September. However, Dyche said Aina will not play for Nottingham Forest until the new year.

“It’s better news,” Dyche said about his injured players. “Not everyone is fully fit yet, but a few are back on the grass, which is a good start. Ola is getting closer to fitness but obviously can’t be with us until January.”

Aina has made three league appearances for Forest this season.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released a 55-man provisional squad for AFCON 2025.

Key players include captain William Ekong, striker Victor Osimhen, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Other notable players in the provisional list include Maduka Okoye, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and Chidera Ejuke, alongside domestic league stars such as Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke.

A final squad of 28 players will be announced in the coming days. The Super Eagles are set to arrive in Egypt on Wednesday, 10th December, for a training camp and will play friendly matches before the tournament kicks off on Sunday, 21st December.

Nigeria is in Group C, alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.

Provisional 55-Man Super Eagles Squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, Francis Uzoho, Ebenezer Harcourt

Defenders: William Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, Felix Agu, Ryan Alebiosu, Adekunle Adeleke

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Christantus Uche, Tochukwu Nnadi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Usman Muhammed, Peter Agba, Tom Dele-Bashiru

Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Simon Moses, Chidera Ejuke, Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, Olakunle Olusegun, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Abdulrasheed Shehu, Rafiu Durosinmi, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi, Philip Otele, Salim Fago Lawal, Emmanuel Michael