CHAN Eagles plot to scale Ghana Black Galaxies’ hurdle

Having missed two consecutive editions of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) following defeats by Togo and Ghana, the home-based national team, also known as CHAN Eagles or Eagles B, have vowed to make the party this term.

Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will host the next edition of the championship next year and to qualify for the competition, Nigeria has been pitted, once again, against Ghana, which stopped the country from making the last event hosted by Algeria.

The Super Eagles have been camped at the Remo Stars’ Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, preparing for the qualifier, which first leg will hold in Accra.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), last week, assembled 30 players to begin preparation for a potentially-explosive home-and-away qualifying fixture against the Black Galaxies of Ghana.

Only the Enyimba FC duo of goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena and defender Imo Obot were excused, as the two are seen as pivotal to the People’s Elephant’s ongoing campaign in the group phase of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Ozoemena was particularly brilliant in Enyimba FC’s encounter against Zamalek FC of Egypt in Uyo on Sunday, with a dozen big saves that enabled the Aba giants to earn a 2-2 draw.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2009, 2011, 2021 and 2023 finals of the competition exclusively reserved for players plying their trade in the domestic Leagues of their countries and possessing permanent contracts.

However, appearances in 2014 (in South Africa) and 2018 (in Morocco) saw the Super Eagles mount the podium, with bronze medals in the former and silver medals in the latter. The 2016 campaign in Rwanda ended at the group stage.

Coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ikechukwu have been working over-time with the players