Raphael Onyedika has secured his place in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Club Brugge confirmed his invitation on Monday, even as Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle continues to keep the final list under wraps. The Belgian side announced on its official website that the midfielder has been cleared to join the national team for the tournament.
This will be Onyedika’s second appearance at a major championship with Nigeria. He was part of the squad that reached the AFCON 2023 final in Ivory Coast and featured once in the competition, logging 27 minutes in Nigeria’s narrow victory over Guinea-Bissau. Since making his international debut in 2022, he has earned 17 caps and scored once, steadily carving out a place in the team’s evolving midfield.
Onyedika has been one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers in Europe this season, with 22 appearances for Club Brugge, including three in the UEFA Champions League. He has contributed two goals and an assist in a campaign that has strengthened his claim to a regular Super Eagles role. Under Chelle, he has played only one full match, the 1-1 friendly draw with Russia in June, while his other outings came as late-game appearances in World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
Nigeria is expected to unveil a 28-man squad packed with familiar names as preparations intensify. AFCON 2025 begins on December 21, with the Super Eagles opening their Group D campaign against Tanzania two days later. Tunisia and Uganda complete the group, setting the stage for a competitive start to Nigeria’s title chase.
