Super Eagles name 30-man squad for CHAN Qualifier against Black Galaxies  

Nigeria’s Super Eagles B coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has named a provisional 30-man squad as preparations intensify ahead of their crunch African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifier against Ghana’s Black Galaxies.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) announced the squad on Monday through its Head of Communications, Ademola Olajire. Players have been instructed to report to camp at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, on Wednesday, December 6, 2024.  

Leading the call-ups is veteran Kano Pillars midfielder Rabiu Ali, whose eight goals this season underline his continued influence in Nigerian domestic football. The squad also includes Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Rivers United defender Steven Mayo, and Abia Warriors forward Sunday Megwo.  

Key selections feature Enyimba FC goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, Rangers International midfielder Kazeem Ogunleye, and Nasarawa United forward Anas Yusuf. Defender Victor Collins of Nasarawa United, who impressed during last month’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers, also made the list.  

The Super Eagles B will train ahead of the first-leg encounter against Ghana at the Accra Sports Stadium on December 22, with the return leg scheduled for December 28 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.  

The fixture rekindles the long-standing rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, with the Black Galaxies having edged out the Super Eagles during penalties in the previous CHAN qualifiers to secure a spot in Algeria 2023.  

The winner of the two-legged tie will qualify for CHAN 2025, set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in February next year.  

Full Nigerian Squad  

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).  

Background  

The Black Galaxies, Ghana’s home-based team, were drawn to face Nigeria in the CHAN second-round qualifiers during a CAF ceremony in October 2024. Ghana will aim to repeat their success from the last CHAN qualifiers, where they eliminated Nigeria via a dramatic penalty shootout.  

With both nations’ rich footballing histories and the stakes of securing a spot in CHAN 2025, fans can expect an electrifying two-legged showdown.