The Nigerian national team, Super Eagles B, is set to face Ghana’s Black Galaxies in the first leg of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers, with stand-in Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede announcing an 18-man squad .
Key Players
The squad includes a mix of experience and fresh talent, with Rabiu Ali of Kano Pillars, wing-back Sadiq Ishmael (Remo Stars), and centre-back Stephen Manyo (Rivers United) leading the defense.
Midfielders Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors) and Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars) bring dynamism to the midfield, while forwards Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United) and Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars) will spearhead the attack.
Super Eagles B Update:
The CHAN Eagles Players and Officials take off in Ikenne enroute to Lagos.
The team will jet off to Ghana in the evening ahead of their contest against the Black Galaxies on Sunday.
The match will hold at Accra Sports Stadium by 5pm.#CHAN2025Q pic.twitter.com/mnvrxdh7nE
— Olaiya Azeez Lawal (@OlaiyaAzeezLaw1) December 20, 2024
Other notable inclusions are goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC), defender Victor Collins (Nasarawa United), and forward Abubakar Adamu (Plateau United).
Fixture Details
The Super Eagles B will travel to Accra for the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, December 22, with kick-off at 4 pm local time (5 pm in Nigeria).
The return leg is scheduled for Saturday, December 28, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria will aim to overturn past disappointments, as Ghana blocked their qualification for CHAN in both 2009 and 2023.
READ MORE:Flamingos reach U17 WAFU-B Women’s Cup Final
Additional Rivalry
On the same day as the first leg, the U17 women’s teams of Nigeria and Ghana will compete for the inaugural WAFU B U17 Cup at the Ghana Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
Squad Breakdown
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)
- Stephen 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)
- Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United)
- Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars)
- Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United)
- Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
CHAN Qualification Outlook
The aggregate winner will secure a place in the 8th CHAN, to be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1 to 28, 2025. With the stakes high and a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, Nigeria will look to secure a vital first-leg result in Accra.
