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Late Player Release Poses a Challenge for Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Preparations
With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) just under three weeks away, the spotlight is on national teams as they finalize their squads. However, a significant hurdle has emerged for African teams, particularly those with players active in European leagues.
Many of Africa’s top talents compete in Europe’s elite competitions, notably the English Premier League, which will continue throughout the AFCON tournament. This overlap complicates player availability for national team camps.
FIFA’s Revised Player Release Policy for AFCON 2025
Traditionally, FIFA mandates that clubs release players to their national teams at least two weeks before major international tournaments like AFCON. This rule aims to balance club commitments with national duties.
However, recent developments indicate a shift. FIFA has reportedly allowed clubs to retain their AFCON-bound players until December 15, just six days before the tournament’s opening match. This adjustment, first reported by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, could significantly impact team preparations.
EXCLUSIVE: Sunderland’s seven AFCON players are expected to be available for the Wear-Tyne derby next weekend. FIFA has informed clubs they can keep AFCON players until December 15. ⚽️ Sunderland hosts Newcastle the day before.
– Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith)
It remains unclear whether this policy applies solely to the Premier League or extends to other European leagues. Regardless, clubs are likely to capitalize on this leniency, especially during this crucial phase of the season.
Impact on Nigeria’s Super Eagles: A Tough Blow for Coach Eric Chelle
Nigeria’s squad is heavily composed of Europe-based players, with at least nine stars competing in the Premier League alone. Fulham FC, in particular, fields three key Super Eagles: Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Calvin Bassey.
In Fulham’s recent thrilling 5-4 defeat to Manchester City, both Iwobi and Chukwueze found the net, underscoring their importance to the club. Post-match, Fulham’s manager Marco Silva confirmed that Chukwueze will remain with the club for another 15 days, delaying his arrival to the national team camp.
“Chukwueze is demonstrating his quality. Unfortunately, we will lose him in 15 days,” Silva remarked, as reported by Jack Kelly.
This development means Coach Chelle will have limited time to work with his full roster before AFCON kicks off. The Nigerian Football Federation recently announced a provisional 55-man squad, which will be trimmed to a final 28-player list shortly. Yet, many key players are unlikely to join the camp before mid-December.
Balancing Club and Country: The Ongoing Dilemma
The tug-of-war between clubs and national teams is a recurring theme in African football. Clubs, especially in Europe, are reluctant to release players early due to the intense fixture schedules and the risk of injuries. Conversely, national teams require ample preparation time to build cohesion and strategy.
For instance, during the previous AFCON, Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana delayed joining his national team until the last moment to fulfill club commitments with Manchester United. Such scenarios highlight the complexities coaches like Eric Chelle face ahead of major tournaments.
As AFCON 2025 approaches, Nigeria’s coaching staff must navigate these challenges carefully to optimize team performance despite limited preparation time with key players.
