AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle Picks New Super Eagles Captain After Ekong’s Retirement
by Elijah Odetokun, https://www.facebook.com/legitngnews · Legit.ng News · Join- Eric Chelle has reportedly picked the next Super Eagles captain ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- Captain William Troost-Ekong announced his international retirement days before the tournament begins
- His sudden retirement has left a defensive void and also a leadership gap in the Nigerian national team
Eric Chelle has reportedly picked the next Super Eagles captain ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after defender William Troost-Ekong's retirement.
Troost-Ekong, who was named on Chelle's 54-man preliminary list, dropped out after announcing his retirement from international football before AFCON 2025.
Ekong admitted that the decision was made after Nigeria failed to secure a ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following their penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the playoff final.
The Dutch-born defender made 83 caps for Nigeria over 10 years and was named AFCON 2023’s best player after scoring three goals in the run to the final, according to the NFF.
Chelle picks new Super Eagles’ captain
According to OwnGoal Nigeria, Chelle has reportedly named Wilfred Ndidi as the new Super Eagles captain ahead of the 2025 AFCON, which kicks off in Morocco on December 21, 2025.
The Besiktas midfielder has been the stand-in on-pitch captain for most matches where Ekong was named on the substitute bench, which happened many times during his final days, similar to how he took over from Ahmed Musa.
Veterans Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon will reportedly assist Ndidi, while Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen will be the third vice-captain.
The decision is expected to be officially confirmed ahead of Nigeria’s opening match of AFCON against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on December 23, 2025.
Super Eagles camp opens in Egypt
The Nigerian national team’s camp opened in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, with goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali as the first entrants.
12 players had arrived in camp as of the time of writing this report, including new invitees Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi.
Other arrivals include Ademola Lookman, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Amas Obasogie, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, and Paul Onuachu.
More players are expected to arrive at the team’s camp ahead of the first training session at 8 o'clock Nigerian time tonight (Monday, December 15).
Nigeria will face Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday, December 16, and it is expected to be a training match after FIFA's regulation altered it.
The team will then depart aboard a chartered flight to Morocco on Thursday, December 18, where they will continue their preparations for the group stage.
The Super Eagles have a target of doing better than the previous edition in Ivory Coast, where they reached the final, but ultimately lost to the host nation.
Super Eagles captain predicted
Legit.ng previously analysed the players who are in line to be the next Super Eagles captain after William Troost-Ekong announced his international retirement.
Wilfred Ndidi, who had captained the team recently, was top of the list to take over, while other candidates were Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidozie Awaziem.
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Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.