Chelle Set to Announce Final CHAN Squad After Ikenne Camp

Super Eagles B head coach Eric Chelle is expected to unveil his final squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) today (Tuesday), following a two-week intensive training camp in Ikenne, Ogun State.

The tournament, which was rescheduled, will now take place from August 2 to 30 across three East African countries Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

According to sources within the camp, the team will engage in one final test match today before Chelle trims the current 28-man squad. The squad initially comprised 35 players, but several changes have occurred along the way.

Five players Papa Daniel Mustapha, Waliu Ojetoye, Savour Isaac, Abubakar Sadiq, and Philip Adejo were ruled out after securing overseas deals, rendering them ineligible. Another, Rangers International defender Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, was dropped due to injury.

As the final squad announcement draws near, players in camp have admitted to feeling the pressure of making the cut.

Junior Nduka, who captained the team during the qualification phase, acknowledged the fierce competition among the players.
“Everybody is under pressure, but of course, the coaches are looking for the best among us,” he said.

Former Flying Eagles forward and Rivers United attacker, Aniekeme Okon, echoed similar sentiments.
“With 35 players originally invited, there’s obviously pressure. Everyone is giving their all to earn a spot. We just keep pushing.”

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2018 edition, are drawn in Group D of the 19-team tournament alongside defending champions Senegal, Sudan, and Congo.

The Super Eagles B will play their opening two group games against Senegal and Sudan at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar, before facing Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Nigeria is yet to claim the CHAN title, having finished third in 2014 and second in 2018, when they lost the final to hosts Morocco.