Nottingham Forest Coach Rules Out Aina From AFCON 2025

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche has tactically ruled out Nigerian defender Olaoluwa Aina from the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) starting later this month in Morocco.

The 30-year-old recently returned to training with expectations of being back in action before the end of the year, but Dyche confirmed that the Nigerian full-back won’t feature for the Tricky Trees until the new year.

Aina, who has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury while on international duty with Nigeria in September, was included in the Super Eagles’ 54-man provisional squad announced yesterday by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“It’s better news,” Dyche said of his injury list. “Not everyone is quite fit yet, but a few are back on the grass training, which is a good start.

“The ones not with us yet are Taiwo, Woody, and Douglas – although they are getting closer. Ola is getting closer to fitness but obviously can’t be with us until January.”

Aina has made three league appearances for Forest this season.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named Captain William Ekong, super-striker Victor Osimhen, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in his provisional list of 55 players for the continental football showcase.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, and Raphael Onyedika, along with forwards Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses, and Chidera Ejuke are also listed.

The list, which was released to journalists by the NFF’s Director of Communication, Dr Ademola Olajiri, also includes Nigeria Premier Football League stars Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke. A final list of 28 players will be drawn from this provisional list in the coming days.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to arrive at a training camp in Egypt on Wednesday, 10th December. The team is expected to play a couple of friendly matches before the tournament begins on Sunday, 21st December. Nigeria is in Group C of the tournament alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.

54 Players in Provisional List of Nigeria for 35th Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos);
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors);
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey);
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes); Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic); Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United); Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves); Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium); Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia); Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria);