Blackburn Rovers have expressed mixed feelings following the confirmation that right-back Ryan Alebiosu has been named in Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
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Alebiosu, who joined Rovers during the summer, was initially listed in Nigeria’s 54-man provisional squad before being upgraded to the final list released this week.
The 23-year-old performance impressed Super Eagles Eric Sekou Chelle and give him first-ever international call-up.
Rovers confirmed that Alebiosu will be available for their Championship clash away to Portsmouth this weekend before joining up with Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for pre-tournament preparations.
In an official statement, the club acknowledged :
“its disappointment at losing a key player at a crucial phase of the campaign but expressed pride in Alebiosu’s rapid development, which has now earned him continental recognition.”
Nigeria will open their AFCON campaign against Tanzania on December 23, before facing Tunisia and Uganda in their remaining Group B fixtures, as they seek passage into the knockout rounds.
However, Rovers congratulated the defender on the milestone achievement and wished him success at the tournament.
The defender is one of the new faces added to the Super Eagles backline after injuries blow to some key members as well as the sudden retirement of former captain, William Troost Ekong.
