Nigeria’s Super Eagles have officially received their squad numbers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirming the list ahead of the team’s Group C opener against Tanzania on 23 December.
Head coach Eric Chelle has named a 28-man squad for the tournament, which runs from 21 December to 18 January, made up of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and nine forwards. All players now know the numbers they will wear as Nigeria target a fourth AFCON title.
Francis Uzoho retains the number one shirt, reflecting his senior status in the squad, although Stanley Nwabali is expected to start as first-choice goalkeeper following his rise since AFCON 2023. Nwabali continues with number 23, while Amas Obasogie takes number 16 as the third goalkeeper.
In defence and midfield, there is little change. Captain Wilfred Ndidi keeps his familiar number four, Semi Ajayi wears six, and Frank Onyeka continues with number eight. A notable development sees Igho Ogbu handed the number five jersey, previously worn by William Troost-Ekong during his player-of-the-tournament run at the 2023 AFCON. Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from international football in November, making the reassignment symbolic.
Nigeria’s attacking numbers follow tradition. Victor Osimhen, Africa Footballer of the Year in 2023, takes the iconic number nine shirt once worn by Rashidi Yekini, Obafemi Martins and Odion Ighalo. Ademola Lookman, another African Footballer of the Year, has been assigned number seven, a jersey made famous by Segun Odegbami, Finidi George and Ahmed Musa.
Alex Iwobi has again opted against wearing the famous number ten associated with his uncle Austin Okocha, choosing to remain with number 17. The playmaker’s shirt instead goes to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who will don number ten in Morocco.
Chidera Ejuke will wear number 24, while one of the standout storylines involves Usman Mohammed. The Ironi Tiberias midfielder, a surprise inclusion in Chelle’s squad, has been given the revered number 14 shirt, previously worn by Daniel Amokachi and more recently Kelechi Iheanacho, who misses the tournament through injury.
Several players will be making their AFCON finals debut, including Salim Fago Lawal (25), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (26), Ryan Alebiosu (27) and Tochukwu Nnadi (28).
Nigeria will face Tanzania first, before meeting Tunisia on 27 December and Uganda on 30 December to conclude their group campaign, with expectations high once again for one of Africa’s most successful national teams.
