Eguavoen invites Rabiu Ali, 29 others for CHAN qualifier against Ghana
By Tosin Omojola
Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has invited 30 players to camp as the Nigeria Football Federation renews its commitment to ensuring the Super Eagles B qualify for next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals.
The 8th edition of the CHAN tournament, exclusively for footballers playing in their home country’s domestic leagues under standard contracts, is scheduled to take place in February 2025 across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Among the invited players is Kano Pillars’ veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali, who has scored eight goals this season. Others include Remo Stars’ goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Rivers United defender Steven Mayo, and Abia Warriors’ forward Sunday Megwo.
The list also features Enyimba FC goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, Remo Stars’ wing-back Ismail Sadiq, Enugu Rangers’ midfield ace Kazeem Ogunleye, and Nasarawa United forward Anas Yusuf. Notably, Victor Collins, the Nasarawa United defender called up for last month’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers, and Plateau United’s Adamu Abubakar have also been included.
All invited players are expected to report to the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, on Wednesday, 4th December 2024. The team will train there ahead of the first leg of the qualification tie against Ghana’s Black Stars B, set for Sunday, 22nd December at the Accra Sports Stadium. The return leg will be played on Saturday, 28th December at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
Ghana has twice denied Nigeria a place in CHAN finals — in 2009 and 2023. During the 2009 qualifiers for the inaugural edition in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria surrendered a 2-0 first-half lead in Accra to lose 3-2. The return leg in Calabar ended goalless. In the 2023 qualifiers, Ghana defeated Nigeria 2-0 at home, lost 2-0 in Abuja, and advanced after winning a penalty shootout at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers
Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC)
Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United)
Defenders
Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars)
Waliu Ojewole (Ikorodu City)
Imo Obot (Enyimba FC)
Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United)
Junior Nduka (Remo Stars)
Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)
Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)
Steven Mayo (Rivers United)
Midfielders
Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars)
Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars)
Saviour Isaac (Rangers International)
Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors)
Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United)
Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers International)
Forwards
Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United)
Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United)
Osy Martins (Lobi Stars)
Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars)
Temitope Vincent (Plateau United)
Samuel Ogunleye (3SC)
Abiam Nelson (Kano Pillars)
Meyiwa Oritseweyimi (Bendel Insurance)
Ngbemena Ikechukwu (Heartland FC)
Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors)
Umar Al-Amin Ibrahim (El-Kanemi Warriors)
Adams Aminu Sani (Kano Pillars)
The Super Eagles B are set to embark on an intensive preparation phase as they aim to secure their spot in the 2025 CHAN finals.
