Nigeria Names 18-Man Squad for 2024 CHAN Qualifiers Against Ghana
Nigeria has announced its 18-man squad for the upcoming 2024 CHAN qualifiers against Ghana, with a mix of experienced players and promising talents making the cut. The squad includes players from top Nigerian clubs such as Kano Pillars, Remo Stars, and Enyimba.
The team, led by stand-in coach Daniel Ogunmodede, has been in camp in Ikenne for three weeks, fine-tuning their preparations for the crucial qualifiers. Among the notable names in the squad are midfielder Rabiu Ali, wing-back Sadiq Ismael, centre-back Stephen Manyo, and NPFL top scorer Anas Yusuf.
The squad also features Enyimba goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole, and a strong defensive lineup consisting of players like Victor Collins, Waliu Ojetoye, and Imo Obot. In midfield, Rabiu Ali will provide leadership alongside players like Jide Fatokun and Musa Zayyad, while the attacking department will be spearheaded by NPFL top scorer Anas Yusuf.
Despite the strong squad, there are some key absentees, including Kazeem Ogunleye, Temitope Vincent, and Taiwo Abdulrafiu. However, the team has shown promise during their camp, winning four friendlies, including a notable 2-1 victory over Remo Stars.
The first leg of the qualifiers is set to take place in Ghana, with the return leg scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Nigeria will be looking to secure a positive result against Ghana, a team that has denied them CHAN qualification in the past.
The ultimate goal for Nigeria is to qualify for the 8th African Nations Championship, which will be held in February 2025 in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Nigeria has yet to win the tournament but has finished third in 2014 and were runners-up in 2018, showing their potential to compete at a high level.
