The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the selection of 18 players for the critical 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying match against Ghana’s Black Galaxies, slated for this Sunday in Accra.
Stand-in Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede has included experienced midfielder Rabiu Ali, dynamic wing-back Sadiq Ishmael, solid centre-back Stephen Manyo, along with midfielders Musa Zayyad and Jide Fatokun, and forwards Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi in the CHAN qualification squad.
Additionally, the squad features goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defender Victor Collins, and forward Abubakar Adamu.
This match holds significant importance as the Black Galaxies have historically thwarted Nigeria’s qualification efforts in previous years, specifically in 2009 and 2023.
Under the guidance of Ogunmodede, alongside Coaches Fidelis Ilechukwu and Olatunji Baruwa, the Super Eagles B have engaged in rigorous training sessions for the past three weeks, culminating in a final training camp at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo.
The first leg of the qualifier will kick off at the Accra Sports Stadium this Sunday at 4 PM local time (5 PM in Nigeria). Concurrently, the Under-17 girls’ teams from both nations will compete for the inaugural WAFU B Under-17 Cup at the Ghana Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
In recent matchups, Nigeria has shown a positive trend against Ghana on the international stage, highlighted by the Super Eagles’ 2-1 victory over the Black Stars in a friendly game held in Marrakech, Morocco—marking Nigeria’s first senior win against their West African rivals in 18 years.
This summer, Nigeria’s U17 team defeated the Black Satellites 3-2 in the WAFU B U17 Championship third-place play-off, and in October, the Flying Eagles retained their WAFU B U20 Championship title with a 3-1 victory over Ghana.
For Sunday’s encounter, Togolese referee Aklesso Gnama will officiate the match, assisted by Jonathan Ahonto Koffi, Wassiou Tchamolla Ourotou, and Kossi Fabrice Senyo. Liberian Ivan Gartor Brown will serve as the commissioner, with Hugues Alain Adjovi from Benin Republic acting as the referee assessor.
The second leg will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, December 28, with the aggregate winner qualifying for the 8th African Nations Championship, scheduled to take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1 to 28, 2025.
Below is Nigeria’s Home-based Super Eagles Squad For the 2024 CHAN Qualifiers Against Ghana:
Goalkeepers:
– Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC)
– Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders:
– Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars)
– Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City)
– Imo Obot (Enyimba FC)
– Junior Nduka (Remo Stars)
– Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)
– Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)
– Steven Manyo (Rivers United)
Midfielders:
– Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars)
– Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars)
– Saviour Isaac (Rangers International)
– Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors)
Forwards:
– Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United)
– Abubakar Adamu (Plateau United)
– Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars)
– Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United)
– Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)