The Super Eagles B team, led by stand-in Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede, is set to face Ghana’s Black Galaxies in the first leg of their 8th African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying clash on Sunday in Accra.
The eagerly anticipated encounter will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 4 pm Ghana time (5 pm in Nigeria), reports Daily Independent.
Coach Ogunmodede has unveiled an 18-man squad featuring seasoned midfielder Rabiu Ali, wing-back Sadiq Ismail, centre-back Stephen Manyo, and forwards Sikiru Alimi and Anas Yusuf.
The squad also includes goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, midfielders Musa Zayyad and Jide Fatokun, and defender Victor Collins.
Speaking ahead of the game, Ogunmodede expressed confidence in the team’s readiness.
“We have prepared rigorously over the past weeks, and the boys are in high spirits. This is more than just a match; it’s about reclaiming our pride and securing our place in the CHAN tournament,” he said.
The Black Galaxies have historically been a stumbling block for Nigeria, denying the Super Eagles B team qualification for CHAN in 2009 and 2023.
However, Ogunmodede is optimistic that history will not repeat itself.
“We respect Ghana as a formidable opponent, but this time, we are ready to turn the tide,” he added.
The Super Eagles B team underwent an intensive three-week training camp at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, where Ogunmodede and his assistants, Fidelis Ilechukwu and Olatunji Baruwa, fine-tuned tactics and team cohesion.
The clash in Accra will mark another chapter in the Nigeria-Ghana football rivalry, which has recently tilted in Nigeria’s favor.
In the past year, Nigerian teams have defeated their Ghanaian counterparts at various levels, including a historic 2-1 win by the Super Eagles against the Black Stars in Morocco and victories by Nigeria’s U17 and U20 teams in regional competitions.
“This is a crucial period for Nigerian football,” said team captain Rabiu Ali. “We have a chance to build on our recent successes against Ghana and bring joy to millions of Nigerians.”
Sunday’s game will be officiated by Togolese referee Aklesso Gnama, with assistants from Togo and match commissioner Ivan Gartor Brown from Liberia.
The second leg is scheduled for Saturday, December 28, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. The aggregate winner will secure a ticket to the CHAN tournament, set to take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1 to 28, 2025.
Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars), Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City), Imo Obot (Enyimba FC), Junior Nduka (Remo Stars), Victor Collins (Nasarawa United), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), Steven Manyo (Rivers United)
Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars), Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Saviour Isaac (Rangers International), Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors)
Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United), Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
The Super Eagles B are determined to make the nation proud as they seek a return to the continental stage.
