AFCON 2025: Osimhen recalled to Super Eagles for Benin Republic and Rwanda

Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Frank Onyeka | Imago

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New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda

AFCON 2025: Osimhen recalled to Super Eagles for Benin Republic and Rwanda

Tosin Abayomi 19:10 - 27.08.2024

New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to return to action this month for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches.

The team will be led by new coach Bruno Labbadia recently unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

For his first games in charge, Labbadia has decided to recall some players to the national team set up.

New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda
Super Eagles superstars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will be important to Bruno's pressing style.. New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda

Osimhen and Ekong lead Super Eagles for AFCON 2025 qualifiers

The Super Eagles have welcomed back captain William Ekong, wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, and attackers Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Rwanda and Benin Republic next month.

The AFCON player of the tournament, Ekong, was sidelined for the entirety of Matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying competition in June due to injury, while Aina, Awoniyi, and the current Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, were all sidelined.

FIFA Rankings
Super Eagles could enjoy a short term revival under Bruno Labbadia. The Super of Nigeria dropped one place in the latest FIFA rankings |Photo Credit: Imago

There are three goalkeepers (one of whom is Stanley Nwabali, a star for the AFCON 2023), seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven strikers.

Taiwo Awoniyi, who has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo on Matchday 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign in November of last year, returns along with Bendel Insurance' Amas Obasogie.

On Monday, September 2nd, all players are required to report to Uyo.

New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, the latest Super Eagles star celebrated his debut with a goal. (Photo Credit: ElegbeteTV/X) New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda

On Saturday, September 7, the Super Eagles play the Benin Republic's Cheetahs at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. On Tuesday, September 10, they travel to Kigali to play the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium.

Super Eagles list

New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda
Stanley Nwabili || Imago New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda

Goalkeepers

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)

New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda
Super Eagles star Ekong schedules charity match ahead of World Cup qualifier. New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda

Defenders

William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda
Alex Iwobi against South Africa | Imago New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda

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 (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda
Victor Osimhen in action for the Super Eagles of Nigeria at AFCON || Imago New Super Eagles head coach Bruno Labbadia has called up Osimhen and 22 others for Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda

Forwards

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)

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