Nigeria’s national football team has finalized its squad numbers for the upcoming continental tournament after the Confederation of African Football confirmed the official list ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Among the key players, star striker Victor Osimhen will continue wearing the famous number 9 jersey, a shirt long associated with the team’s main attacking figure.
Team captain Wilfred Ndidi will maintain his traditional number 4 shirt as he prepares to lead the Nigeria national football team into the tournament.
The iconic number 10 shirt has been assigned to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who is expected to play a creative role in midfield.
Several established members of the squad will also keep their familiar jersey numbers.
Key squad numbers among returning players include:
- Ademola Lookman – No. 7
- Samuel Chukwueze – No. 11
- Frank Onyeka – No. 8
In addition, some of the newest members of the squad have been assigned higher numbers as they prepare to make their mark in the tournament.
The newly introduced players will wear the following jerseys:
- Salim Fago – No. 25
- Ebenezer Akinsanmiro – No. 26
- Ryan Alebiosu – No. 27
- Tochukwu Nnadi – No. 28
Nigeria enters the tournament aiming to secure its fourth continental title at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Their campaign will begin with a group-stage match against the Tanzania national football team in the Moroccan city of Fès.
Ahead of the competition, defender Calvin Bassey expressed confidence that the team is better prepared compared to the previous edition.
Bassey reflected on how both he and several teammates have gained valuable experience since Nigeria reached the final of the last tournament.
During that competition, the Super Eagles finished as runners-up after losing 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast national football team.
The defender believes that the squad’s increased maturity could play an important role in their pursuit of success this time.
This will mark Bassey’s second appearance in a major international tournament with Nigeria.
With former team captain William Troost-Ekong now retired from international football, Bassey is expected to play a central role in the defensive unit.
Alongside him, Semi Ajayi is also likely to be part of the defensive pairing under head coach Eric Chelle.
Commentary and Analysis
Squad numbers in major tournaments often carry symbolic meaning in football, reflecting both tradition and tactical roles within a team.
For Nigeria, the decision to keep established numbers for key players such as Osimhen and Ndidi reinforces continuity within the squad.
Meanwhile, assigning the number 10 jersey to Dele-Bashiru signals confidence in his ability to influence games creatively from midfield.
The presence of several new players also suggests a gradual transition within the Super Eagles squad as the team blends experienced stars with emerging talents.
With the disappointment of finishing as runners-up in the previous AFCON still fresh, the team will likely approach the tournament with strong motivation to secure the title.
© 2025 Gossip News Now , a division of CHIEJOS HARBIAN DIGITAL MEDIA LTD. Contact us via admin@gossipnewsnow.online
