CHAN Qualifiers: Eguavoen calls Up 30 home-based players for Ghana match

Kano Pillars midfielder Rabiu Ali and 29 other home-based players have been invited to the Super Eagles B camp by interim coach Austin Eguavoen in preparation for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against Ghana.  

This call-up marks the third phase of camping for the home-based players, following two earlier sessions organized by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Abuja.

Ali, 44, who has netted eight goals in the ongoing 2024/25 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, headlines the squad alongside Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Rivers United defender Steven Mayo, Abia Warriors forward Sunday Megwo, and Nigeria Premier League top scorer Anas Yusuf.

The players are set to resume camp at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Wednesday, 4 December.

The first leg of the qualifiers will take place in Accra on Sunday, 22 December, while the return leg is scheduled for Saturday, 28 December, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

The double-header against Ghana is crucial for Nigeria’s qualification for the 2024 CHAN tournament, which exclusively features players competing in their home leagues.

The invited players also include Enyimba FC goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, Remo Stars wing-back Ismail Sadiq, Enugu Rangers midfield ace Kazeem Ogunleye, and Nasarawa United defender Victor Collins, who was called up for last month’s 2025 AFCON qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

The eighth edition of the continental championship, reserved exclusively for players competing in their domestic leagues, is set to take place from February 2025 across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Historically, Ghana has denied Nigeria a spot in the Africa Nations Championship finals twice: in 2009 and 2023.

In the inaugural qualifiers hosted by Ivory Coast, Nigeria squandered a 2-0 first-half lead in Accra, conceding three second-half goals. The return leg in Calabar ended 0-0.

For the last edition hosted by Algeria, Ghana won 2-0 at home but lost 2-0 in Abuja, ultimately progressing after 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).