Super Eagles B stand-in coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, has called up 26 players, including veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali and Remo Stars defender Sadiq Ismail, to begin preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The camp will start on Monday at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, ahead of the competition scheduled to run from February 1 to 28 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Key players such as team captain Nduka Harrison Junior, goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defender Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielder Saviour Isaac, and forward Sikiru Alimi are part of the squad that has been selected for the upcoming tournament.
The Super Eagles B earned their place in the CHAN after defeating Ghana’s Black Galaxies 3-1 in the second leg of the qualifiers, following a goalless draw in the first leg in Accra. This marks their first qualification for the tournament in six years.
Ogunmodede emphasized the importance of starting preparations early, drawing from the success of their previous qualifiers. “We had early preparations for the qualifiers with three phases of camping. The last phase started four weeks ago in Ikenne, and that really helped us. Hopefully, we will have the same preparation for the CHAN proper,” he stated. “These boys have really proved themselves, and we can only assess the videos, identify our weaknesses, and work on them.”
The squad displayed impressive form in the second leg against Ghana, with Remo Stars duo Ismail and Harrison Junior scoring within the first 22 minutes, followed by a third goal from Rangers’ Kazeem Ogunleye in the 25th minute.
Nigeria, who finished third in the 2014 edition and were runners-up in 2018, will compete against 17 other countries in the eighth edition of CHAN. The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, who are also set to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The competition will serve as a test for the host nations’ facilities and operational readiness.
**Full Squad**
– **Goalkeepers**: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United)
– **Defenders**: Sadiq Ismail (Remo Stars), Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City), Imo Obot (Enyimba FC), Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United), Nduka Harrison Junior (Remo Stars), Victor Collins (Nasarawa United), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), Steven Manyo (Rivers United), Abiam Nelson (Kano Pillars), Afeez Bankole (Smart FC)
– **Midfielders**: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars), Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Saviour Isaac (Rangers International), Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers International)
– **Forwards**: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United), Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United), Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), Temitope Vincent (Plateau United), Samuel Ayanrinde (3SC), Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors)
