Championship side Blackburn Rovers have released an official update regarding Ryan Alebiosu’s inclusion in Nigeria’s final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has handed the Hale End Academy graduate his first senior call-up, with Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina still sidelined as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained while on international duty in September.

Should Nigeria, traditionally among the tournament favourites, advance to the AFCON final as they did in 2024, Alebiosu would be unavailable for seven official fixtures against Millwall, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Wrexham, Charlton Athletic, Hull City and Ipswich Town.

The 23-year-old has been a key figure for Blackburn this season, emerging as one of the first names on Valérien Ismaël’s team sheet after starting all 19 of the club’s Championship matches so far.

Alebiosu is expected to feature in Saturday’s league encounter against Portsmouth before linking up with the Super Eagles in Cairo, where he is poised to make his Nigeria debut in a friendly against Egypt on December 16.

"Whilst Rovers are disappointed to be losing a key player at such a crucial stage in the season, the club are proud of Ryan’s progress since he completed a summer switch to Ewood Park, which has seen him earn international recognition for the first time in his career," Blackburn wrote on their official webpage.

Should Alebiosu make an appearance for the Super Eagles at the Afcon, he would no longer be eligible for his country of birth, England, provided his Nigerian citizenship is not revoked.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel