Super Eagles B coach Eric Chelle will announce his final squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) today, following two weeks of intensive training in Ikenne, Ogun State.
The much-anticipated announcement comes after a final test match scheduled for this morning, which will be the players’ last chance to impress before the list is trimmed to the final 28-man squad for the tournament. The rescheduled CHAN will take place from August 2 to 30, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Chelle initially invited 35 players to camp, but the number has since dropped due to several changes. Five players—Papa Daniel Mustapha, Waliu Ojetoye, Savour Isaac, Abubakar Sadiq, and Philip Adejo—became ineligible after securing deals abroad, while Rangers International defender Ifeanyi Onyebuchi was ruled out with injury.
As the selection deadline looms, players in camp have spoken openly about the pressure to make the final cut. Team captain Junior Nduka, who led the squad through the qualification rounds, noted the intensity of training sessions and the fierce competition for spots.
“Everybody is under pressure but definitely the coaches want the best among the 35 players,” Nduka said.
River United striker and former Flying Eagles forward, Aniekeme Okon, echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the tense atmosphere as players fight for inclusion.
“It puts pressure on us—35 players being invited, everybody is going to give out their best with an expectation of being selected. So we keep pushing,” Okon said.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2018 edition of CHAN, have been drawn in Group D of the 19-team tournament. They will face title holders Senegal, as well as Sudan and Congo.
The team’s opening two matches, against Senegal and Sudan, will take place at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar. Their final group game against Congo will be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Despite their pedigree in African football, Nigeria are still in search of a first CHAN title. The Super Eagles B side finished third in the 2014 edition hosted by South Africa and were beaten finalists in 2018, losing to hosts Morocco.
Chelle and his technical team are expected to finalize their squad based on form, fitness, and tactical suitability, as Nigeria aims to finally lift the elusive CHAN trophy.