Nigeria Coach Eric Chelle Unveils 23-Man Squad Ahead of CHAN
The Super Eagles B head coach, Eric Chelle, has officially announced his 23-man squad for the upcoming 8th African Nations Championship (CHAN) slated to take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 2nd – 30th August. The announcement has thrilled fans as Nigeria gears up for a highly competitive tournament.
Squad Overview
Leading the squad is team captain Junior Harrison Nduka, along with prominent players such as defender Taiwo Abdulrafiu and forward Anas Yusuf. The squad features a well-rounded mix of talents from clubs across Nigeria, including goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani, defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Stephen Mayo, midfielders Hadi Haruna and Alex Oyowah, and forwards Sikiru Alimi and Ijoma Anthony.
The contingent is expected to depart for Zanzibar on Thursday, with training having been conducted for weeks at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ogun State. This rigorous preparation is aimed at ensuring the team’s readiness for challenging matches.
Friendly Matches Scheduled
To further fine-tune their strategy, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has organized two friendly matches against the Senior National Team of Zanzibar on July 28 and July 31. These encounters will provide a crucial opportunity for Coach Chelle to assess his players under match conditions.
Group D Competitors
Nigeria finds itself in Group D of the 19-team tournament, alongside defending champions Senegal, Sudan, and Congo. The Super Eagles B will kick off their campaign against Senegal and Sudan at the Amman Stadium on the island of Zanzibar, before facing Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Full Squad List for 8th CHAN
Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena Ani (Enyimba FC); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United); Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars).
Defenders: Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Bankole Afeez (Kwara United); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Uzondu Harrison (Ikorodu City); Junior Harrison Nduka (Remo Stars); Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City); Steven Mayo (Rivers United).
Midfielders: Adedayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars); Hadi Haruna (Remo Stars); Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United); Akanni Qudus (Remo Stars); Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars); Alex Oyowah (Remo Stars).
Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors); Godwin Obaje (Rangers International); Jabbar Malik (Remo Stars).
Conclusion
As Nigeria prepares for the CHAN tournament, the excitement among fans continues to build. What are your thoughts on the squad selection? Join the conversation in the comments below!
