Inter Milan midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has been included in Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Pisa SC head coach Alberto Gilardino has confirmed, according to Soccernet.ng.
The call-up marks the 21-year-old’s first appearance at senior international level, an impressive milestone for a player who only made his Serie A debut earlier this year.
Akinsanmiro’s selection follows an excellent start to his spell with newly promoted Pisa, where he has been one of the standout performers this season. He has made 11 league appearances, provided one assist and earned two man-of-the-match awards. His work rate, discipline and passing range have made him a key figure in a team fighting to find its footing in the Italian top division.
The midfielder recently returned from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss matches against Sassuolo and Inter Milan. When introduced at halftime against Parma, he lifted the team’s tempo and almost created an equaliser, only for a teammate to waste the opportunity.
Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle is said to view Akinsanmiro as a valuable addition to the midfield, a hard runner, a neat passer and a true box-to-box presence. He offers qualities Nigeria have been missing behind Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka.
Akinsanmiro set for AFCON duty as Inter monitor progress
After the Parma match, Gilardino praised the youngster’s development and confirmed he will soon leave the club to join Nigeria’s AFCON preparations.
The Super Eagles open camp on 15 December, and Akinsanmiro is expected to be among the first players to arrive. He could win his first senior cap the following day in a warm-up match against Egypt. Nigeria begin their AFCON campaign on 23 December against Tanzania, with the tournament starting two days earlier.
Inter Milan, who retain ownership of the player, are following his progress closely. When loaning him to Pisa, the Italian giants inserted a €6 million option-to-buy and a slightly higher buy-back clause, giving them long-term control as they assess his future next summer.
Akinsanmiro’s rise, from Remo Stars to Viareggio Cup finalist, from an Inter debut to becoming one of Pisa’s most promising players, has been rapid. Born in November 2004, he plays with the maturity of someone far older. As he heads to his first major international tournament, Nigeria will hope his upward trajectory continues on the continental stage.
