Stand-in head coach Daniel Ogunmodede, temporarily replacing Austin Eguavoen, unveiled the roster after trimming an initial 30-player list.
Ogunmodede, who also serves as the Super Eagles’ assistant coach, will guide the home-based team in the crucial two-legged tie.
The squad boasts a mix of experience and youth, featuring two goalkeepers, seven defenders, four midfielders, and five forwards.
Ali, the 44-year-old stalwart of Kano Pillars and a veteran of the 2014 CHAN tournament, brings invaluable leadership to the side. The midfield maestro has been in fine form, netting eight goals in 14 league matches this season.
Defensively, the team includes one-cap Super Eagles full-back Ismail Sadiq of Remo Stars and Nasarawa United’s Victor Collins, who was also part of the squad for Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
The attack is spearheaded by Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf, currently the top scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League with 10 goals in 15 games. Yusuf will be joined by Remo Stars’ Sikiru Alimi, a reliable marksman, and Kwara United’s Emmanuel Ogbole.
The midfield features promising talents like Jide Fatokun from Remo Stars, Saviour Isaac of Rangers International, and Musa Zayyad from El-Kanemi Warriors, alongside Ali.
The first leg of the tie is set for Sunday, December 22, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with a 5 p.m. Nigerian time kick-off. The decisive return leg will follow on Saturday, December 28, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The winner on aggregate will secure a spot in the 2025 CHAN tournament, scheduled for February 1–28 across Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Super Eagles Squad for CHAN Qualifier Against Ghana
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), Steven 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).
Nigeria has named a formidable 18-man squad for their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Ghana’s Black Galaxies, with veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali leading the charge, Soccernet.football reports.
Stand-in head coach Daniel Ogunmodede, temporarily replacing Austin Eguavoen, unveiled the roster after trimming an initial 30-player list.
Ogunmodede, who also serves as the Super Eagles’ assistant coach, will guide the home-based team in the crucial two-legged tie.
The squad boasts a mix of experience and youth, featuring two goalkeepers, seven defenders, four midfielders, and five forwards.
Ali, the 44-year-old stalwart of Kano Pillars and a veteran of the 2014 CHAN tournament, brings invaluable leadership to the side. The midfield maestro has been in fine form, netting eight goals in 14 league matches this season.
Defensively, the team includes one-cap Super Eagles full-back Ismail Sadiq of Remo Stars and Nasarawa United’s Victor Collins, who was also part of the squad for Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
The attack is spearheaded by Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf, currently the top scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League with 10 goals in 15 games. Yusuf will be joined by Remo Stars’ Sikiru Alimi, a reliable marksman, and Kwara United’s Emmanuel Ogbole.
The midfield features promising talents like Jide Fatokun from Remo Stars, Saviour Isaac of Rangers International, and Musa Zayyad from El-Kanemi Warriors, alongside Ali.
The first leg of the tie is set for Sunday, December 22, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with a 5 p.m. Nigerian time kick-off. The decisive return leg will follow on Saturday, December 28, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The winner on aggregate will secure a spot in the 2025 CHAN tournament, scheduled for February 1–28 across Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Super Eagles Squad for CHAN Qualifier Against Ghana
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), Steven 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).