Interim coach Austin Eguavoen has summoned 30 home-based players, including Kano Pillars midfielder Rabiu Ali, to the Super Eagles B camp in preparation for the upcoming double-header against Ghana in the 2024 CHAN qualifiers.
This call-up marks the third training camp organized by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for domestic players, following two previous sessions held in Abuja. Notably, Ali has been impressive this season, netting eight goals in the ongoing 2024/25 NPFL campaign.
Joining him in the squad are Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Rivers United defender Steven Mayo, Abia Warriors forward Sunday Megwo, and top NPFL scorer Anas Yusuf.
The players are expected to report to the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Wednesday, December 4. The first leg of the qualifiers is set for Sunday, December 22, in Accra, while the return leg will take place at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, December 28.
Other notable inclusions in the squad are Enyimba FC goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, wing-back Ismail Sadiq from Remo Stars, midfield talent Kazeem Ogunleye of Enugu Rangers, and Nasarawa United defender Victor Collins, who was also part of last month’s AFCON qualifying matches.
The eighth edition of the Africa Nations Championship, which features players exclusively from domestic leagues, is scheduled to be held in February 2025 across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Historically, Ghana has thwarted Nigeria’s attempts to reach the CHAN finals twice, in 2009 and 2023. In their first encounter in the qualifiers, Nigeria relinquished a 2-0 lead in Accra, losing 3-2, while the return match in Calabar ended in a stalemate. In the last edition held in Algeria, Ghana won the first leg 2-0 but were held to a 2-0 draw in Abuja, eventually advancing via penalties.
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)
