Chelle Unveils 35-Man Provisional Squad for 2025 CHAN

Super Eagles B head coach Eric Chelle has named a 35-man provisional squad ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to take place in August across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The squad features notable domestic league talents, including team captain Junior Nduka and Papa Daniel Mustapha, both expected to play pivotal roles in Nigeria’s preparations for the continental tournament, which is exclusively reserved for players plying their trade in their home countries.

The announcement was confirmed in a statement on Friday by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire.

Among the standout names is in-form forward Anas Yusuf, alongside other established stars of the Nigeria Premier Football League. First-choice goalkeeper Henry Ani leads the goalkeeping department, joined by Kayode Bankole, Ebenezer Harcourt, Nurudeen Badmus, and Lawal Mustapha.

Defensive options include Waliu Ojewole, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Kabiru Mohammed, Uzondu Harrison, and Sodiq Ismaila, with midfield reinforcements such as Haddi Haruna, Saviour Isaac, and Adam Aminu also making the cut.

The attacking line is bolstered by Sunday Megwo, Adamu Abubakar, Godwin Obaje, Atule Joseph, and Temitope Vincent, among others.

Nigeria, who were runners-up at the 2018 edition of CHAN, have been drawn in Group D of the 19-nation tournament. They will battle defending champions Senegal, as well as Sudan and Congo.

The Super Eagles B are scheduled to play their first two group matches—against Senegal and Sudan—at the Amman Stadium on Zanzibar Island, while their final group game against Congo will take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

All selected players have been instructed to report to the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, on Monday. They are required to arrive with their international passports and valid club licenses.

Full Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:
Henry Ani (Enyimba), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United), Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)

Defenders:
Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars), Waliu Ojewole (Ikorodu City), Bankole Afeez (Kwara United), Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United), Uzondu Harrison (Ikorodu City),
Junior Nduka (Remo Stars), Mohammed Kabiru (Kwara United), Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), Stephen Manyo Egbe (Rivers United)

Midfielders:
Adebayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars), Adejoh Ojonugwa (Abia Warriors), Saviour Isaac (Rangers International), Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors), Haddi Haruna (Remo Stars),
Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), Adam Aminu (Kano Pillars), Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars)

Forwards:
Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United), Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United), Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), Temitope Vincent (Plateau United), Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors),
Atule Joseph (Enyimba), Ayomide Cole (Ikorodu City), Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors), Aniekeme Okon (Rivers United), Godwin Obaje (Rangers International)