*Recalls Uzoho, Onuachu, Dessers & Dele-Bashiru with four uncapped players

Duro Ikhazuagbe 

Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, released Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Thursday evening with the exclusion of Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, who was expected to step up to the first choice role.

Surprisingly, Chelle, stick with his injured Number 1, Stanley Nwabali, who his Chippa United coach in South Africa has written off to be unfit for the AFCON in Morocco starting in barely 10 days time.

Also left out of the Super Eagles final squad is  Wolverhampton Wanderers Tolu Arokodare who has failed to take his chance with the Nigerian senior team despite the opportunities offered him during the World Cup qualifiers.

Paul Onuachu, Francis Uzoho, Cyriel Dessers and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have been recalled to  the team along with four uncapped players like Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa), Salim Fago (NK Istra, Croatia), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers) and Tochukwu Nnadi (ZulteWaregem).

All the other players in the squad participated in the failed World Cup qualification run that ended last month.

Chelle opted for the usual suspects like Nwabali, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, and other players as Nigerians are looking forward to the team winning a fourth African title at this 35th edition of continental football showpiece to make up for the World Cup miss.

According to the statement issued by NFF’s Director of Communication, Dr Ademola Olajire, the Super Eagles will clash with the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly at the Cairo Stadium on Tuesday, 16th December, before flying aboard a chartered flight from Cairo to Fès (their battlefield in Group C) two days later.

The three-time champions take on the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on 23rd December, before further group phase encounters against Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles (27th December) and Uganda’s Cranes (30th December).

NIGERIA’S 28-MAN  2025 AFCON SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961 (Croatia)   

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• Head coach at embattled NRL club until 2030
• Wooden spoon in 2024, 13th place finish this year

By SCOTT BAILEY FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS and ANDREW PRENTICE, SPORTS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 22:01 EST, 11 December 2025 | Updated: 22:18 EST, 11 December 2025

Wests Tigers have extended Benji Marshall’s contract until the end of 2030, with the embattled NRL club throwing an incredible level of support behind the coach.

Already contracted until the end of 2027, the Tigers on Friday announced a new deal that will keep the club legend at the helm for the next five seasons.

It came on another busy day in Tiger town, with Shaun Mielekamp appointed interim CEO following Shane Richardson’s dramatic exit.

In the space of 11 days, the Tigers have sacked more than half their board, had their CEO resign, invited the board members back and extended Marshall as head coach.

Marshall’s new contract is no doubt aimed at providing some stability at the club, with it in the works before the directors were invited back on Thursday.

Tigers officials will also hope it helps them secure Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula, with the star duo able to look elsewhere for 2027 and beyond.

Wests Tigers have extended Benji Marshall’s contract until the end of 2030, with the embattled NRL club throwing an incredible level of support behind the coach

Tigers officials hope Marshall’s extension will help them keep Jarome Luai (pictured, left) and Jahream Bula, with the star duo able to look elsewhere for 2027 and beyond

But it is also an incredible show of faith in the 40-year-old from the joint-venture club.

Marshall has taken the Tigers to a wooden spoon and 13th in his two seasons in charge, albeit while showing signs of improvement in 2025.

Across all 17 NRL clubs, only Cameron Ciraldo at the Bulldogs has a longer coaching deal than Marshall.

Meanwhile, Holman Barnes chairman Dennis Burgess has quit the board of the Wests Tigers.

It follows Burgess – an ARIA Hall of Fame inductee – attracting unwanted headlines after he was exposed for following hundreds of social media pages featuring sexually explicit content.

Burgess will remain chairman of the Holman Barnes Group.

‘This is about stability at the Wests Tigers,’ he told News Corp.

‘I’ve taken the view that I’ve got to be a bit selfless as part of the solution to the need for stability and unity. 

‘That’s why I’m stepping aside.’

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Benji Marshall’s INCREDIBLE contract extension at the Wests Tigers – as NRL club confirm their interim CEO after departure of Shane Richardson

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Oliver Glasner has praised Chrisantus Uche and his Crystal Palace teammates, following a comfortable win at Shelbourne in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.

Palace boosted their hopes of automatic progress to the Conference League knockout phase with a straightforward 3-0 win away to Shelbourne in Dublin.

Uche, Eddie Nketiah and Yeremy Pino all scored as Palace completely outclassed their hosts in the first half.

Palace were missing injured Jean-Philippe Mateta on Thursday but Uche seized his opportunity, clinically converting from Nketiah’s low cross to open the scoring.

The pair linked up well throughout the game, with Nketiah benefiting for Palace’s second when Uche saw a shot come back off the post.

The win lifts Palace up to ninth, meaning they are just one point off a coveted top-eight finish and need only a point at home to KuPS next Thursday in their final league-phase game to guarantee a play-off spot for the last 16.

Speaking after the win Glasner, quoted by Sky Sport, said:”Credit to the players for their attitude today. The pitch was not in the best condition, they’re playing against a team who want to show up and I think we played a very good game.

“First half, scored nice goals. We spoke at half-time to keep the pace high and we did, created many chances and unfortunately we missed a few and were unlucky with Romain Esse’s finish.

“Against a team who defends so deep, I think it was our best game. So many chances, scoring three goals, clean sheet – a very good night.”

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By JAKE FENNER, US SPORTS WRITER

Published: 20:22 EST, 11 December 2025 | Updated: 20:30 EST, 11 December 2025

Olivia Dunne’s provocative photoshoot for the cover of Maxim magazine has set pulses racing and is garnering praise from far and wide.

Dunne – the model, influencer and former gymnast – was showcased in black-and-white on the cover of the men’s magazine’s Winter edition.

The 23-year-old received plenty of love from fans and celebrities alike – including from Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Under an Instagram post showcasing the cover, Brittany posted ‘So Good’ while adding three fire emojis.

Other celebrities and sports figures – like Lindsey Vonn, Ilona Maher, Brooks Nader, Alix Earle and the Cavinder Twins – left supportive comments.

Her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, posted about her on his own Instagram page. 

Brittany Mahomes (R) joined in the praise for Livvy Dunne’s recent raunchy photoshoot

The former LSU gymnast graced the cover of the winter edition of Maxim Magazine

Dunne is, of course, no stranger to gracing the covers of magazines while showing off her physique.

Earlier this year, she was on the front of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. It marked her third time in the iconic magazine.

2025 marked the end of Dunne’s career as an athlete and the beginning of her transition to being a full-time personality.

After the conclusion of her time as a gymnast at LSU, Dunne has signed with global talent agency Wasserman.

Now, the internet sensation can continue her modeling career as well as other brand deals and endeavors.

In addition to her social media work and endorsements, Dunne has been growing her real estate portfolio.

She recently purchased a home in Jupiter, Florida – believed to be not far from the $60million mansion owned by Tiger Woods.

Dunne was captured in black-and-white, showing off her physique and her sense of style

Earlier this year, Dunne was seen on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition

Dunne also finally landed herself a luxury New York apartment, months after her bid to buy Babe Ruth’s former home was brutally rejected. 

She was turned down by a co-op board when she previously attempted to purchase a property in the Big Apple earlier this year. 

However, according to the New York Post, the 23-year-old has put that behind her and will now be joining the hordes of social media stars in the city’s West Village. 

According to records obtained by the outlet, Dunne bought a one-bedroom, two-bath condominium for $1.95million in the area.

Kansas City ChiefsPittsburgh Pirates

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NFL WAG Brittany Mahomes gushes over Livvy Dunne’s raunchy Maxim cover debut

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We will never know if Roger Federer approved but, sitting in the comfortable seats, the most graceful tennis player of all-time would have recognised the artistry.

How fitting that Youri Tielemans was wearing all-white, as he whipped in a drive that resembled one of those curling Federer forehands that would zip down Wimbledon’s white lines and leave an opponent shaking their head in dismay.

Federer, born and raised in Basel, was back in town to give support to his local team but his night was ruined as the Aston Villa roadshow rolled on relentlessly, Tielemans providing the flourish that secured an eighth consecutive victory and kept their European odyssey motoring.

There is a log jam at the top of the Europa League table, six teams separated by a point and all manner of equations keeping the statisticians busy, but one simple fact cannot be escaped and that is Villa have claims to be regarded as the continent’s most in-form team.

What a job Unai Emery is doing. It’s hard to believe that it was only 82 days ago Aston Villa’s manager was furiously hissing in Sunderland’s media theatre, hissing that his squad had been “lazy” and bemoaning their inability to fulfil their potential.

He isn’t doing that now. While it is true that Emery will never get carried away – and he finds talk of trophies before Christmas presents have been opened preposterous – the thousands who made the journey to St Jakob Park were more than happy to do so.

Evann Guessand scored the opening goal of the game for Aston Villa against Basel 

Tennis icon Roger Federer watched on at St. Jakob-Park, supporting his local side 

Memories came flooding back for Emery when he walked through the doors here on Wednesday, this being the place he completed a treble of Europa League wins with Sevilla; the 3-1 dismantling of Liverpool in May 2016 remains of his finest nights as a manager.

‘But I am always looking to the future,’ he insisted and the ambition to land the competition with a third team – and his fifth in total – burns as brightly as the red flares that lit up the enclosure behind one of the goals that housed Basel’s ultras.

Yet Villa have been in the kind of eye-catching groove that makes everyone sit up and take them seriously, enabling grandiose dreams to take flight and Emery, rightly, knows this is a trophy they can capture.

‘We can’t stop,’ he warned. ‘The Europa League is very important for us, to be favourites, it depends if we are playing consistency, getting in the top eight.’ There are other teams progressively getting better. This competition is very difficult.’

Villa have been in the kind of eye-catching groove that makes everyone sit up and take them seriously, 13 wins from the last 15 – capped by the flattening of Arsenal – enabling grandiose dreams to take flight and Emery, rightly, knows this is a trophy they can capture.

He made eight changes to Saturday’s conquerors and that gives further credence to Villa’s potential. You won’t always get fluent play when the personnel is altered so significantly but this was a starting line-up packed with experience, power and promise.

The back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Viktor Lindelof and Lucas Digne have been playing at the top level for years, the attacking four of Evann Guessand, Emi Buendia, Jadon Sanco and Donyell Malen give plenty of options and excitement. So, yes: this squad has it within them to go places.

A problem here, however, was the fact it almost seemed too easy for them. Emery, as always, paced around with the anxiety of someone who had put their Christmas kitty on a short-priced favourite at Cheltenham, wincing at every perceived misstep.

But his players were in their comfort zone; they had taken care of Young Boys, who are a point below Basel in the Swiss Super League, two weeks earlier – the final score of 2-1 didn’t reflect their dominance – and it wasn’t unreasonable to expect them to do the same now.

When Guessand managed to squeeze in the opening goal on 17 minutes, poking a right-foot effort into the corner after Basel failed to clear their lines, it felt everything was going to plan. Emery, suddenly, had the smile of a man who had seen the favourite oblige.

Youri Tielemans added a second for Unai Emery’s men on another victorious night 

Emery returned to the scene of his 2016 dismantling of Liverpool as Sevilla boss 

Flavius Daniliuc of Basel celebrates scoring to make it 1-1 before Villa netted the winner

Complacency, though, can do funny things in football games. A little drop in the tempo or a clearance not made and, suddenly, the atmosphere changes. 

Basel gave a warning that they shouldn’t be underestimated when Dominik Schmid had a goal disallowed by VAR but it wasn’t heeded.

In the 27th minute, Villa defended passively, Xherdan Shaqiri – that little box of tricks – clipped in a beautiful free-kick and Flavius Daniliuc nipped in ahead of the hesitant goalkeeper Marco Bizot and turned in an equaliser. Emery, again, was volcanic.

The beauty of having such a deep squad, however, is the fact he can introduce a player of Tielemans’s quality to make a difference. 

The Belgian feels he is in the best form of his career at the moment, thriving with responsibility, and the confidence is flooding through him.

When the ball dropped to him in the 52nd minute, there wasn’t a doubt about what would happen: Buendia’s lay off was perfect and Tielemans never had to break his stride to dispatch the winner, the difference to Federer being he was delighted to see the ball hit the net. 

Game, set, match: Villa. 

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Omolabake Fasogbon

Recognising  increased cyber vulnerabilities that accompany  technology  evolution, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) firm,Edgebase Technologies Ltd is shifting its priorities to building proactive and scalable solutions  that will drive efficient and safe adoption. 

According to  Global Cybersecurity Firm, Check Point Software Technologies in its newly released ‘African Perspectives on Cyber Security’ report, Africa faces a sharp rise in attacks driven by artificial intelligence, with Nigeria recording about 4,200 weekly attacks per organisation. 

Edgebase stated that this reality explained its future drive, building on its two-decade journey from a modest start-up to a one-stop technology provider serving sector as telecoms, financial institutions, and oil and gas, among others. 

Speaking at a press briefing to commemorate the company’s 20th anniversary in Lagos,Managing Director of the firm, Joel  Egbai disclosed further that emerging risks amid tech growth demand urgent investment in smart enterprise solutions and  cyber- defence. 

He said the firm presently leverages these challenges as an opportunity to improve its services and deepen  digital uptake. 

Egbai stressed that the firm is fully positioned to respond decisively to Nigeria’s shifting digital risk landscape. 

Reflecting on the company’s trajectory in the past two decades, the firm General Manager, Sales, Mrs Modupe Adesiyun said the company has remained  focused on delivering value and confidence to  partners, maintaining top-tier partnership with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Microsoft and delivering optimal solutions to clients. 

She cited system risks engendered by AI,  prompting the firm to upgrade beyond hardware distribution to full-scale solution delivery. 

Also speaking, the Team Lead, Operations, Adeyinka Alade recounted how the organisation had weathered operational and economic challenges to remain at the top and retain the confidence and trust of its partners. 

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Sékou Chelle, has unveiled his final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, leaving out Maduka Okoye while handing a recall to Francis Uzoho as preparations intensify for the tournament in Morocco.

Chelle confirmed his selection on Thursday, listing Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman among the core group expected to drive Nigeria’s campaign. With the competition kicking off in just ten days, the coach has opted for a mix of experience, strong form and a handful of exciting new names.

Cyprus-based Uzoho returns to the fold after months away from the national team. He is joined by defender Igoh Ogbu and striker Paul Onuachu, both making their way back into the squad. Chelle has also opened the door to fresh faces including Ryan Alebiosu, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Usman Muhammed, Tochukwu Nnadi and Croatia-based Salim Fago Lawal, all of whom will be linking up with the squad for the first time.

Nigeria will face Egypt in a friendly at the Cairo International Stadium on 16 December, their final test before heading to Fès, where they will play all three Group C matches. The Super Eagles begin their AFCON journey against Tanzania on 23 December, then take on Tunisia four days later before rounding off the group stage against Uganda on 30 December.

Below is the full Super Eagles squad for the AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders:
Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England)
Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England) Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece)
Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France)
Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey)
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium)
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy)
Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)

Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy)
Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England)
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)
Simon Moses (Paris FC, France)
Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey)
Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece)
Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia)

© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]

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Super Eagles midfielder Christantus Uche was at his best mettle as he scored a goal and bagged an assist in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win over Shelbourne in Thursday’s Europa Conference League.

The Nigerian international, who was making his second appearance in the competition, netted the opening goal in the 11th minute.

Read Also:AFCON 2025: Chelle Unveils Super Eagles’ Final List

He later became the provider as his brilliant assist set up Eddie Nketiah to extend Palace’s lead to 2-0 in the 25th minute of the game.

The visitor took the game beyond the reach of their host as Pino netted the third goal in the 37th minute.

The win means Crystal Palace sit 9th on nine points, while Shelbourne sit 34th on one point in the league table.

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By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 16:22 EST, 11 December 2025 | Updated: 16:24 EST, 11 December 2025

Luke Littler’s beautician girlfriend Faith Millar has been cheering him on at the World Championship with the 18-year-old world champion started his defence of his crown, and wishes him good luck ahead of his first game with a kiss.

Littler, 18, played his first game of this year’s tournament at Alexandra Palace on Thursday night, taking on Darius Labanauskas in the third match of the evening in the first round.

The youngster, who is looking to pocket £1million by winning this year’s competition, has regularly been cheered on by his parents, Anthony and Lisa, during his competitions and it was no different on Thursday.

Recently, though, Millar, who is a year older than Littler, has also been by his side, and was seen in hospitality at the Palace as Littler played.

Littler confirmed his relationship with Millar in July after months of insisting they were merely friends. He had kissed the beautician during World Matchplay event in Blackpool, where the world champion triumphed to become the youngest player to complete dart’s prestigious Triple Crown.

Millar has since joined Littler in travelling to the Australian Darts Masters, with ‘The Nuke’ also emerging triumphant in Wollongong.

Luke Littler shared a kiss with beautician girlfriend Faith Millar before he started his World Championship defence

The duo locked lips as Littler completed his walk-on for his first match this year

Faith, who went public with Littler earlier this year, was alongside his dad Anthony (centre) and mum (front right)

Littler, speaking on DartsStream Live, opened up about his relationship with Millar. He admitted that it had initially been ‘tough’ with people trolling their relationship online, but insisted those making comments were jealous.

‘Yeah, it’s been tough,’ he said. ‘Obviously, at the start of last year, I was always looking at the comments. And she’s been having a look [at the] negativity.

‘But I just said, “They’re jealous. They wanna ruin us.” But I just said, “Just don’t look at it and just focus on what we’ve got”‘.

Littler also added that Millar presence Down Under was what he needed with his parents not making the long trip. ‘She’s a lovely lady, Faith,’ he said. ‘I think it’s sort of what I needed. I knew my mum and dad weren’t going to come.

‘And as soon as I asked the question, she was like, ‘Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever get the chance.” So I said, ‘You can come with me.'”

The pair were first pictured together in May when Littler shared a photo of them together to his 1.9million followers on Instagram. 

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A good luck kiss! Luke Litter locks lips with his beautician girlfriend as teenage darts sensation begins World Championship defence

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The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has named his final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelle has trimmed his initial 50-man squad to 28 players.

The most obvious absentee is captain William Troost-Ekong, who announced his retirement from international football last week.

However, vice-captains Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen make the cut.

The deadline for the submission of the final squads was December 10.

The Super Eagles squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece), Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia)

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