Alebiosu “Very Much Delighted” After Maiden Super Eagles Call-Up

Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu has spoken of his joy after receiving his first Super Eagles invitation, describing the call-up as a moment of great pride and excitement. The 23 year old right-back was named in Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by head coach Eric Chelle last week.

Alebiosu told the BBC that he was “very much delighted” to be included in the national team at this stage of his career and is eager to begin preparations with his teammates ahead of the tournament in Morocco. He said the news brought immense happiness to both him and his family, who celebrated his selection with great joy.

“It’s a pleasure,” Alebiosu said. “Very much delighted, can’t wait to get started and help my nation reach big things.” He added that Nigeria calling him up was an opportunity he “didn’t want to miss”, especially at his age, and expressed his determination to make the most of the chance.

Alebiosu has been one of Blackburn’s standout performers in the Championship this season, earning his maiden senior international recognition with consistent displays at club level.

Editorial

When a player hears his country call, it is more than a professional milestone  it is the culmination of years of aspiration, devotion and quiet nights chasing an improbable dream. For Ryan Alebiosu, that call came this week, and his reaction “very much delighted”  was as authentic as it was deserved.

At 23, a footballer stands at a crossroads between potential and performance. Alebiosu’s journey — from youth promise to a starting role at Blackburn Rovers and now to his first senior call-up  epitomises the delicate calibration of talent and tenacity. What makes his story resonate is not merely the leap from club to country, but the timing of it in a Nigeria shirt rich with history and expectation, each inclusion carries weight not just for the individual, but for the collective narrative.

His delight is understandable. National team selection — especially for a tournament as prestigious as AFCON — is a validation that transcends league statistics, scouting reports, or social media chatter. It says, “you belong here.” And for Alebiosu, that message was met not with complacency, but with eager anticipation to help his nation reach big things, as he put it.

Football is often romanticised through goals and trophies, but its deeper stories are found in these moments of personal vindication. Alebiosu’s call-up is no footnote it is the rich prologue to what could be a defining chapter in both his career and Nigeria’s AFCON quest.

Did You Know?

1. Alebiosu obtained his Nigerian passport ahead of AFCON 2025 to become eligible for the Super Eagles, having been born in England to Nigerian parents.
2. The defender signed for Blackburn Rovers in July 2025 after joining from KV Kortrijk, cementing a regular role in the Championship this season.
3. Alebiosu could be called upon to fill in for injured senior right-backs such as Ola Aina, adding tactical flexibility to Nigeria’s defensive setup.
4. A first senior call-up at 23 is a significant benchmark — several Nigerian internationals, including Wilfred Ndidi, also debuted in their early twenties and went on to have long international careers.
5. If Nigeria progress deep into AFCON 2025, Alebiosu’s tournament involvement could see him miss several Blackburn Rovers Championship fixtures, a common challenge for players balancing club and country commitments.