Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, both potentially on the verge of transfers from their respective Italian clubs, have been included in Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.On Wednesday, the Super Eagles also recalled William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, and Taiwo Awoniyi to bolster the team.Nigeria will kick off their qualification campaign for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco with a match against Benin in Uyo on September 7, followed by a second encounter against Rwanda three days later.Osimhen, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, and Lookman, a reported target for Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, could both leave Napoli and Atalanta respectively before the transfer window closes on Friday.First formal offer for Osimhen and it‘s not ChelseaOsimhen, 25, has yet to appear in a competitive match for Napoli this season, as transfer talks continue to drag on. Meanwhile, Lookman, who played for Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid earlier this month, could also be on the move soon.The squad selections include several players who were absent from Nigeria’s last matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin. Notable among them are Troost-Ekong, Nottingham Forest duo Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi, as well as Nantes winger Moses Simon and Portugal-based defender Bruno Onyemaechi, who missed out previously due to injuries.The squad will gather at the training camp in Uyo starting Monday.New head coach Bruno Labbadia, whose appointment was confirmed on Tuesday, will lead the Super Eagles’ lineup.Nigeria appoint a coach with a losing recordNIGERIA AFCON 2025 QUALIFIERS SQUADGoalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United/RSA), Maduka Okoye (Udinese/ITA), Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance)Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood/KSA), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce/TUR), Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates/RSA), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista/POR), Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Calvin Bassey (Fulham/ENG), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest/ENG)##NAJAVA_MECA_8298156##Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City/ENG), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge/BEL), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution/USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio/ITA), Frank Onyeka (Brentford/ENG), Alex Iwobi (Fulham/ENG)Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan/ITA), Victor Osimhen (Napoli/ITA), Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla/ESP), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Moses Simon (Nantes/FRA), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/ITA), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest/ENG)
