As preparations intensify ahead of the eighth African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to take place across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda next month, Nigeria’s home-based national team, the Super Eagles B, will begin camping in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Monday (today).
The team, made up entirely of players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), will be led by head coach Eric Chelle, who has invited 35 players to an initial training camp ahead of the tournament, which runs from August 2 to 30.
The tournament, originally slated for earlier dates, had been postponed twice before the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the new schedule.
Among those called up are team captain Junior Nduka, Papa Mustapha Daniel, and forward Anas Yusuf, all of whom are expected to play key roles in Nigeria’s campaign. The list also includes Enyimba goalkeeper Henry Ani, as well as defenders Waliu Ojetoye, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Mohammed Kabiru, and Uzondu Harrison.
In midfield, Saviour Isaac and Haddi Haruna have been included, while the attack will be bolstered by Sunday Megwo, Adamu Abubakar, and Godwin Obaje.
Other notable invitees are goalkeepers Kayode Bankole and Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Stephen Egbe, midfielder Adam Aminu, and forwards Atule Joseph and Temitope Vincent.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2018 edition, have been drawn in Group D of the expanded 19-team tournament, alongside reigning champions Senegal, Sudan, and Congo.
The Super Eagles B will play their first two matches 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, Tanzania.
Despite reaching the final in 2018 and securing a third-place finish in 2014, Nigeria is yet to lift the CHAN title. The upcoming tournament offers another chance for the Super Eagles B to make history.
