The Nigerian national football team, Super Eagles B, is gearing up for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) amidst swirling transfer rumors surrounding two of their key players, Sodiq Ismail and Jide Fatokun. Stand-in coach Daniel Ogunmodede has expressed confidence that both players will be available for the tournament despite reports linking Ismail with Albanian club Fk Partizani and Fatokun with Sudanese giants Al-Merrikh SC. Ogunmodede confirmed Fatokun’s presence in the country but acknowledged a lack of official information regarding Ismail’s whereabouts, who has reportedly traveled to Albania to finalize his move. However, the coach remains optimistic about their participation, emphasizing their importance to the team’s CHAN campaign. Both players played crucial roles in Nigeria’s qualification, with Ismail scoring a vital goal against Ghana and Fatokun anchoring the midfield.
The Super Eagles B, under the interim guidance of Ogunmodede, alongside his Rangers International coaching staff, have commenced their training camp in Ikenne with a squad of 26 players. The CHAN tournament, scheduled to take place from February 1st to 28th, 2025, will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set the draw for the tournament on January 15th at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Eighteen nations will compete for the title, exclusively reserved for players competing in their respective domestic leagues. The three host nations, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, are automatically seeded as A1, B1, and C1, respectively.
The remaining fifteen teams are divided into three pots based on their performance in the previous three editions of the CHAN tournament. Pot 1 features the reigning champions, Senegal, and Morocco, both considered strong contenders. Pot 2 comprises Guinea, Zambia, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Sudan, all teams with a history of competitive performances in the tournament. Nigeria finds itself in Pot 3 alongside Mauritania, Niger, Congo, Angola, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, presenting a diverse range of playing styles and potential challenges for the Super Eagles B.
The draw ceremony will determine the group stage opponents for each nation, setting the stage for a fiercely contested tournament. Nigeria’s Super Eagles B will be aiming to improve on their previous performances in the CHAN tournament. They achieved a third-place finish in the 2014 edition held in South Africa, followed by a runners-up position in 2018, losing to hosts Morocco in the final. The upcoming tournament presents an opportunity for the team to secure their first CHAN title and solidify their standing as a dominant force in African football. The presence of Ismail and Fatokun, despite the transfer speculations, would significantly bolster their chances, given their proven contributions to the team’s success.
The team’s preparation in Ikenne will be crucial in building team cohesion and refining their strategies ahead of the tournament. Coach Ogunmodede will be focusing on maximizing the potential of the 26-player squad, incorporating both experienced players and emerging talents. The training camp will provide an opportunity to assess the players’ current form, address any weaknesses, and develop a tactical approach that suits their strengths. The focus will be on building a balanced team capable of overcoming the diverse challenges posed by the various opponents they might face in the group stages and potentially in the knockout rounds.
The CHAN tournament represents an important platform for showcasing the talent within African domestic leagues and provides players with an opportunity to gain international exposure. For the Super Eagles B, success in the tournament would not only bring national pride but also serve as a springboard for future international competitions. With the draw looming, the anticipation builds as the Nigerian team and fans await the unveiling of their group stage opponents. The road to the CHAN title promises to be challenging but equally exciting, and the Super Eagles B are determined to make their mark on the tournament.
