Abuja, Nigeria – For the first time in years, the final list of Super Eagles players for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has drawn widespread public approval, thanks to a strong representation of home-based talents.
Since the announcement of the 23-man squad in July by head coach Eric Chelle, many Nigerians have expressed satisfaction, noting that long-standing complaints about the exclusion of players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) appear to have been addressed.
“Since CHAN, nobody dey complain again say them nor invite home base,” said a local football enthusiast in Warri, echoing the sentiments of many fans nationwide.
The CHAN tournament—reserved exclusively for players active in their domestic leagues—is set to kick off from August 2 to 30, 2025, across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Super Eagles B squad features top-performing players from Remo Stars, Enugu Rangers, and Ikorodu City, among others.
Notable names on the list include:
- Junior Harrison Nduka (Captain)
- Sikiru Alimi
- Godwin Obaje
- Evans Ogbonda
- Peter Eneji
Coach Chelle, who has taken a progressive approach to squad selection since his appointment, has been praised for his commitment to grassroots and domestic football development.
“This is a positive shift. It gives our league players something to aspire to,” said former international and football analyst, Mutiu Adepoju.
The renewed faith in homegrown talent could also influence future Super Eagles call-ups for continental and global tournaments. With the 2025 CHAN tournament already underway, all eyes are on how the home-based players will perform on the continental stage.
For now, the inclusion of local stars in the national setup is a win for Nigerian football—and for fans who’ve long called for a balance between foreign-based and local talent.
