Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand has expressed disappointment over Nathan Tella’s omission from Nigeria’s final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, admitting the winger had genuinely hoped to feature at the continental tournament.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle released his final 28-man squad on Thursday, December 11, in line with the deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Tella, who was widely expected to be included, was left out despite recently returning to action after a lengthy injury layoff.
The decision came as a surprise in some quarters, particularly after Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes had earlier hinted that the former Southampton player was likely to make the trip to Morocco with the Nigerian squad.
Speaking ahead of Leverkusen’s Bundesliga clash against Cologne, Hjulmand acknowledged that while Tella’s availability during the AFCON period benefits the German champions, the personal disappointment for the player is undeniable.
“This is beneficial for Leverkusen, of course,” Hjulmand told Die Zeit. “But Nathan had hopes, real hopes.”
Tella has been working his way back to full fitness in recent weeks after injury disrupted his momentum earlier in the season. His omission underscores the fierce competition for attacking places in the Super Eagles squad, as Chelle opted for players with stronger recent international involvement and match sharpness.
Nigeria will head into AFCON 2025 in Morocco with expectations of mounting a serious title challenge, having finished as runners-up at the last edition. However, Tella’s absence adds to the list of notable omissions and highlights the difficult selection decisions faced by the technical crew.
For Leverkusen, the winger’s retention during the international window offers a boost as the club balances domestic and European ambitions. For Tella, attention now turns to regaining top form at club level, with the hope that strong performances could reopen the door to future national team opportunities.
