On November 25, the official Twitter handle of the Super Eagles, teased an announcement.
“Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preliminary squad announcement coming up,” it simply read.
But five days later, there is no list.
The next two tweets were “Which #SuperEagle impressed you the most during the #AFCON2025 Qualifiers?” and “Who made the most appearance for Nigeria during the #AFCON2025 qualifiers?”
South Africa has already unveiled a 55-man list, which will eventually be cut to 23.
The South African Football Association, SAFA, noted that the final squad would be named “in the coming days”, well ahead of the December 11 deadline for all 24 finalists to name their selections for the tournament.
For context, Bafana Bafana finished ahead of Nigeria in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifier. And they are not taking off the foot from the gas.
“Delays like this are unfortunately typical of the way we manage our football,” Clinton McDubus, a top football analyst and podcaster, tells DAILY POST.
“There are also reports of an impending 55-man provisional list.
“Considering the time left until the tournament begins, it is completely unnecessary and just adds to the uncertainty surrounding the team.
“It is disappointing that we continue to deal with issues like this.
“At the end of the day, you know it would be a rush-rush affair and Eric Chelle will default to familiar names, leaving out players that probably should have gotten a look-in.
“I think we will eventually see a squad that is largely the same as the one we saw during the World Cup playoffs,” McDubus adds.
“Despite Onuachu’s form, I don’t think he will get into the team, especially with the emergence of Akor Adams.
“I also think Alhassan Yusuf might miss out,” he added.