CAF New Rule Puts Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle Under Pressure Over Squad Size

Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, is facing fresh challenges ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco following the Confederation of African Football’s revised squad regulations.

Eric Chelle recently submitted a 55-man provisional list, a first step in Nigeria’s preparations for the tournament.

While the announcement signals progress, the new CAF rule allowing up to 27 players on the final squad has added pressure on the Franco-Malian coach to make tough decisions before the Eagles’ training camp opens in Morocco on December 8.

According to Soccernet, sources reveal that Chelle will trim the list significantly ahead of the December 21 tournament kickoff, with only 24 to 27 players expected to make the final roster.

CAF will cover expenses for just 23 of those players, leaving the Super Eagles’ federation to fund the remaining slots. This financial caveat now forces Chelle to balance talent selection with budget considerations.

Most of the provisional squad features familiar faces who have worked with Chelle since his appointment, but a handful of lesser-known players have been included as the Eagles chase their first AFCON title since 2013.

The coach’s task is further complicated by Nigeria’s history of near misses. Last year, the team reached the final in Cote d’Ivoire but fell just short of claiming a fourth continental crown.