Raphael Onyedika standing during pre-match rituals before a football match.
The Super Eagles may still be waiting for head coach Eric Chelle to officially drop his final 28-man squad for the 2025 AFCON, but one thing is already certain—Raphael Onyedika is coming to the party.
Club Brugge announced on Monday that the midfielder will be fully available for the tournament, giving Nigeria a significant boost in an area where stability is always golden.
This will be Onyedika’s second major tournament appearance, following his run at the 2023 AFCON, where he featured in the group-stage win against Guinea-Bissau. Although his minutes were limited then, this new AFCON might be the one where he steps into a bigger spotlight.
Since making his debut in 2022, Onyedika has quietly—and consistently—built himself into one of Nigeria’s most dependable midfield options.
This season alone, he has:
Racked up 22 club appearances
Featured in the UEFA Champions League
Scored 2 goals and delivered an assist
Maintained the form and discipline that every coach dreams of
In simple terms: the man is ready.
However, competition will be fierce. Chelle has often leaned toward Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka as his preferred engine room combo. But with Onyedika’s rise in Europe and his tactical versatility, this AFCON may force a healthy reshuffle.
Chelle’s final list is expected to maintain a strong backbone of familiar faces as Nigeria looks to bounce back from missing the World Cup. But midfield isn’t the only area with drama.
There is serious uncertainty around goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who remains an injury doubt. That could open the door for Udinese’s Maduka Okoye to reclaim the No. 1 shirt.
With the 2025 AFCON kicking off on December 21, Nigeria must be sharp from the first whistle. The Super Eagles begin their Group D journey on December 23 against Tanzania, followed by encounters with Tunisia and Uganda.
In tournaments like AFCON, midfield wins tournaments.
If Onyedika brings his Club Brugge energy, discipline, and ball-winning intelligence into the green and white, Nigeria may just unlock a more balanced, more confident midfield performance.
And with the nation aiming to climb back to football dominance, every dependable player counts.
Sports Market International will continue to track every development as Nigeria gears up for an unforgettable AFCON campaign.
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