Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has reacted sharply to coach Eric Sekou Chelle’s release of a 54-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, saying he is “confused” by the timing and size of the list with the tournament just around the corner.
Speaking frankly, Sodje said that although it is normal to have a provisional list, releasing such an unusually large squad so close to AFCON, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, raises more questions than answers.
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“To be honest, I’m confused. Why a 54-man list? And why now? It looks unnecessary and unclear,” he said.
Sodje acknowledged that the list includes a healthy mix of regular Super Eagles stars and several new faces, but insisted that the technical crew should have had a clearer direction by this stage.
“You don’t need 54 players at this point. By now, you should already know your core team. This feels like too much,” he noted.
The former West Brom defender said that huge provisional lists often complicate preparation rather than help it, especially when the final squad must be trimmed down dramatically in a short time.
“It creates confusion. The players don’t know where they stand, and the coaching staff have too many decisions to make in too little time,” he added.
Despite his concerns, Sodje urged Nigerians not to lose hope, stressing that what matters most is how the team performs once the tournament begins.
“We can question the process, but we still have to stay positive. Let’s see how the team progresses when AFCON starts,” he said.
He emphasised that with AFCON so close, the focus should now shift from squad debate to unity, preparation, and mental readiness.
“This is the time for support. Whatever list the coach uses, the players must give everything,” he said.
Sodje concluded by urging the coaching crew to avoid last-minute chaos and streamline the team quickly.
His final verdict, “A 54-man list is strange, but now let’s hope Nigeria gets it right when it matters.”
