Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has made eight changes to his Super Eagles side for their final Group C match against Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports
The official team news, released ahead of kick-off, confirms a heavily rotated Nigeria XI despite the Super Eagles already sealing qualification to the Round of 16 and securing top spot in the group.
Chelle’s selections reveals a clear focus on squad management and discipline, with several key players one booking away from suspension ahead of the knockout stages.
The biggest decision sees key men Stanley Nwabali and Ademola Lookman both named on the substitutes’ bench.
Nigeria: Goalkeeper switch and defensive reshuffle
One of the headline changes comes in goal, where Stanley Nwabali drops out after struggling with fitness issues. In his place, Francis Uzoho earns his first competitive start for Nigeria since the 2023 AFCON cycle.
The Cypriot-based goalkeeper, who was Nigeria’s first choice at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, last featured in the 2-2 friendly draw with Saudi Arabia before the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire. He will be keen to show how far his game has developed.
In defence, Chelle keeps faith with Calvin Bassey with Igoh Ogbu earning his first AFCON cap as Semi Ajayi drops to the bench. On the left, Bruno Onyemaechi stays ahead of Zaidu Sanusi while Ryan Alebiosu is handed a debut at right-back. The Blackburn Rovers defender replaces Bright Osayi-Samuel, one of Nigeria’s standout performers so far.
Midfield caution and attacking rotation
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is among those rested, with the Besiktas midfielder starting on the bench after collecting a yellow card earlier in the tournament.
Club Brugge ace Raphael Onyedika steps into midfield alongside Lazio playmaker Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Further forward, Samuel Chukwueze returns after missing the Tunisia game, while Moses Simon makes his first start of the tournament. Ademola Lookman, one of the competition’s most influential players with two goals and two assists, is rested to avoid suspension risk.
Victor Osimhen, despite walking the disciplinary tightrope, makes fhe starting XI after opening his AFCON scoring account against Tunisia. In Ndidi’s absence, Osimhen has been handed the captain’s armband ahead of Moses Simon.
Paul Onuachu partners Osimhen in attack with Sevilla forward Akor Adams making way for the Trabzonspor targetman.
Nigeria’s progression is already assured, but the stakes remain high for Uganda, who must win to keep their AFCON hopes alive. With Tunisia and Tanzania facing off simultaneously, Chelle’s rotated Super Eagles will still have a major say in how Group C ultimately unfolds.
Nigeria XI: Uzoho, Alebiosu, Bassey, Ogbu, Sanusi; Onyedika, Dele-Bashiru, Chukwueze, Simon; Osimhen, Onuachu.
By Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
