Fulham manager Marco Silva has admitted the club will feel the absence of Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze as the trio head off for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations camp in Egypt, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.
The three Super Eagles stars were named in Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and could be unavailable for up to a month, depending on how far the team progresses in the tournament. Their departure comes at a demanding stage of the Premier League season, leaving Fulham short of some of its most influential players.
Speaking ahead of their exit, Silva did not downplay the impact of losing the Nigerian internationals, stressing that all three are integral to his plans.
“We are talking about three starting XI players. We know Alex is a key player in any position he plays. The importance of Calvin and what Chukwueze has been doing in recent games. You have to find solutions. If you know any other way to handle it, let me know,” the Portuguese tactician said.
Iwobi has been one of Fulham’s most consistent performers this season, contributing creativity, work rate, and tactical flexibility across midfield and wide areas. Bassey has remained a defensive mainstay, offering physicality and composure at the back, while Chukwueze’s recent form has added pace and direct attacking threat to the team.
Despite acknowledging the difficulty of replacing such key figures, Silva expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to adapt, noting that AFCON is a reality Premier League clubs must contend with. Fulham will now rely on squad depth and tactical adjustments as they look to maintain momentum while their Nigerian stars aim to push the Super Eagles toward continental glory in Morocco.