Super Eagles Prep for Showdown with Ghana for CHAN 2025

The Super Eagles B team is intensifying training at Ikenne's Remo Stars Stadium ahead of a pivotal match against Ghana's Black Galaxies.

The Super Eagles B team is ramping up their preparations at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne ahead of their crucial encounter with Ghana's Black Galaxies later this month. This marks the third stage of the training camp for the home-based squad, following earlier sessions organized by the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja.

Known as the CHAN Eagles, the team will clash with Ghana's Black Galaxies for a ticket to the 2025 African Nations Championship, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Head coach Austin Eguavoen has summoned 30 players for this camp, including seasoned midfielder Rabiu Ali, whose vast experience is anticipated to aid the young squad.

'Remo Stars' contributes five players to the lineup—Ismail Sodiq, Nduka Junior, Kayode Bankole, Sikiru Alimi, and Jide Fatokun. Other notable inclusions are Niger Tornadoes' rising star Papa Daniel, Nigeria Premier Football League top scorer Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United, Plateau United's Vincent Temitope, and Abia Warriors forward Sunday Megwo.

However, the squad will be without Lobi Stars striker Ossy Martins, who withdrew owing to injury. Meanwhile, Enyimba's goalkeeper Ani Ozoemena and left-back Imo Obot are currently committed to their club's CAF Confederation Cup clash with Zamalek in Uyo. They are anticipated to join the national camp after Sunday's fixture.

In their initial test match on Sunday morning, the Super Eagles B edged out Grassrunners Football Club 1-0, with Niger Tornadoes and Flying Eagles forward Papa Daniel converting a late penalty in the 90th minute.

The looming showdown against Ghana is fraught with tension, as the Black Galaxies have twice thwarted Nigeria's CHAN qualification aspirations. Nigeria's painful memories include a second-half collapse in the inaugural qualifiers in 2009 and a penalty shootout heartache in Abuja last year. The first leg of the qualifiers will be held in Accra on Sunday, December 22, with the decisive return leg scheduled for Saturday, December 28, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.