CHAN
Morocco may make a U-turn over CHAN withdrawal
Morocco’s English newspaper, Morocco World News has reported that the country’s football team may still travel to Algeria for their African Nations Championship title defense if they get a positive response from the hosts, Algeria.
The football federation previously said the team would be withdrawing from the competition. But according to the publication, Morocco’s national football team of local players is still making preparations for the African CHAN championship at the Mohammed VI complex, and is “ready to travel at any time,” President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation Fouzi Lekjaa told sports channel Arryadia on Thursday.
“All we are awaiting is related to the organizers of the competition who need to give authorization for the national team to travel on a Royal Air Maroc airplane,” Lekjaa explained.
He added that the airline is the official transport partner for all of Morocco’s national football teams.
“As you know, we are a short distance away, and it requires a short flight time,” he went on to say. “At any time that we receive a positive response, the national team is ready and equipped to travel to Constantine to participate in CHAN.”
Lekjaa also said that if an authorization is not given, the Moroccan team would be robbed of the chance to play in a tournament that they spent a long time getting ready for, as well as the chance to defend their title.
In December, Lekjaa announced that Morocco would boycott the continental tournament if the Moroccan team was not allowed to travel directly from Rabat to Constantine, the host of the tournament, on a Royal Air Maroc plane.
The tournament is set to kick off this Friday, and Morocco, being the defending champions and the holders of the most titles (DR Congo and Morocco both have two), would be conspicuous by its absence from the event.
Faced with Morocco’s demand for a direct flight route, Algerian officials have shirked their country’s responsibility in the matter. Rachid Oukali, the head of the CHAN organizing committee, has said that the host country is not responsible for ensuring direct travel routes for the participating teams.
Head Coach Eric Chelle has released a 35-man provisional squad for Nigeria’s Super Eagles B ahead of the 8th African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to hold next month across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Among the invited players are team captain Junior Harrison Nduka, Papa Mustapha Daniel, and striker Anas Yusuf. First-choice goalkeeper Henry Ani also made the list, alongside defenders Waliu Ojetoye, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Mohammed Kabiru, and Uzondu Harrison.
The midfield ranks are bolstered by the inclusion of Saviour Isaac and Haddi Haruna, while the attacking lineup features Sunday Megwo, Adamu Abubakar, and Godwin Obaje.
Also making the squad are goalkeepers Kayode Bankole and Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Stephen Manyo Egbe, midfielder Adam Aminu, and forwards Atule Joseph and Temitope Vincent.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2018 edition, are drawn in Group D of the expanded 19-team tournament. They will face defending champions Senegal, as well as Sudan and Congo.
The Super Eagles B are scheduled to play their first two matches—against Senegal and Sudan—at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar, before traveling to Dar es Salaam to take on Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
All invited players have been directed to report at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, on Monday, July 7, with their international passports and valid club licenses.
35 PLAYERS FOR SUPER EAGLES B CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO
Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena Ani (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo
Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United); Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars);
Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)
Defenders: Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojewole (Ikorodu City);
Bankole Afeez (Kwara United); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Uzondu
Harrison (Ikorodu City); Junior Harrison Nduka (Remo Stars); Mohammed
Kabiru (Kwara United); Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi
(Rangers International); Steven Mayo Egbe (Rivers United)
Midfielders: Adebayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars); Adejoh Ojonugwa (Abia
Warriors); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi
Warriors); Haddi Haruna (Remo Stars); Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United);
Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Adam Aminu (Kano Pillars);
Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars)
Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United);
Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope
Vincent (Plateau United); Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors); Atule Joseph
(Enyimba FC); Ayomide Cole (Ikorodu City); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors);
Aniekeme Okon (Rivers United); Godwin Obaje (Rangers International)
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
With just over a month to the kick-off of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), defending champions Senegal have begun early preparations by opening a two-week residential training camp ahead of the tournament.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed that the camp, which commenced on Monday, June 30, is taking place at the Jules François Bocandé Technical Development Centre in Toubab Dialaw. The training programme will run until July 11 and serves as a key phase in the Teranga Lions A’ team’s build-up to the continental competition.
CHAN 2025, which runs from August 2 to 30, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Senegal, drawn in Group D alongside Nigeria, Sudan, and Congo, will play their group matches in Zanzibar.
A total of 28 players have been called up for this initial training phase, with selections drawn largely from standout performers in Senegal’s domestic league. Teungueth FC, reigning champions of Ligue 1, lead the contributions with four players in the squad. Other top clubs including Generation Foot, AS Pikine, Casa Sports, and ASC Jaraaf are also well represented.
According to the FSF, the camp is focused on tactical drills, fitness conditioning, and fostering team chemistry as the West African side seeks to retain the title they won in Algeria in 2023.
The coaching crew will use this period to assess player form and fitness while planning a series of test matches to fine-tune the squad ahead of the final list for the tournament.
The CHAN tournament, staged biennially, is exclusively reserved for players who compete in their respective national leagues. It serves as a key platform for local talent to gain international exposure and plays a vital role in player development across the continent.
Senegal’s early move into camp signals their serious intent to mount a strong title defence in what promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament. Their opening group game against Nigeria is already drawing attention as one of the headline clashes of the group stage.
Below is the full list of 28 players invited to camp:
Marc Phillips Arona Diouf (Teungueth FC), Idrissa Ndiaye (Génération Foot), Mouhamed Sissokho (Amitié FC), Amar Fall (AS Pikine), Elhadji Malick Sembene (Dakar Sacré-Coeur), Seyni Mbaye Ndiaye (US Gorée), Baye Assane Ciss (Teungueth FC), Ousmane Konate (AS Douanes), Daouda Ba (Dakar Sacré-Coeur), Alfred Gomis (US Ouakam), Amadou Bene Coly (AJEL Rufisque), Joseph Layousse Ifra Samb (Teungueth), Issa Kane (Casa Sports), Issaga Kane (ASC Jaraaf), Mbaye Yaya Ly (AS Pikine), Pape Abasse Badji (Génération Foot), Ousseynou Fall Seck (AJEL Rufisque), Insa Boye (Diambars), Libasse Gueye (Teungueth FC), Mangone Ndiaye (AS Pikine), Oumar Ba (US Gorée), Ameth Niang (ASC Jaraaf), Moustapha Fanne (Guédiawaye), Isma Gueye Kouate (Génération Foot), Mapathe Mbodj (AS Kaffrine), Christian Gomis (Essamaye FC), Seydina Madione Mbaye (AJEL Rufisque), Bonaventure Bonito Fonseca (US Ouakam)
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
CHAN
CHAN 2024: Nigeria to Play Group Matches in Zanzibar as Tournament Serves as AFCON 2027 Dress Rehearsal
Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team will play their Group B matches of the 8th African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Zanzibar, an island territory of Tanzania, when the competition kicks off from August 2 to 30, 2024.
The island, located off the East African coast, has a population of under two million and is one of three host venues selected for the tournament.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Thursday that the CHAN tournament—reserved for players plying their trade in domestic leagues—will serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Group B, where Nigeria is drawn, includes reigning champions Senegal, Congo, and Sudan. Congo was recently reinstated into the group following the expulsion of Equatorial Guinea by the CAF Appeals Committee.
The opening match of the tournament will be held at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Kampala’s Mandela Stadium in Uganda will host the third and fourth matches, while the final is scheduled for Saturday, August 30, at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
Nigeria, silver medallists in the 2018 edition and bronze winners in 2014, booked their place at this year’s finals after defeating Ghana 3-1 on aggregate in their qualifying tie last December.
GROUP A: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia (Nairobi)
GROUP B: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic (Dar es Salaam)
GROUP C: Uganda, Niger, Guinea, South Africa, Algeria (Kampala)
GROUP D: Senegal, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria (Zanzibar)
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- OBITUARY4 days ago
BREAKING: Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead
- Nigerian Football4 days ago
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Kwara United Clinch Historic First Title as President Federation Cup Final Goes to Penalties for the 18th time
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Rivers Angels Crowned 2025 Female Federation Cup Champions After Penalty Shootout Thriller
- WAFCON2 days ago
Nigeria, Tunisia Set for High-Stakes WAFCON 2024 Clash in Casablanca
- OBITUARY4 days ago
Peter Rufai looked lean when I last saw him, says mourning NFF President, Gusau
- OBITUARY4 days ago
Family issues statement on Peter Rufai
- IMMEMORIAL3 days ago
Peter Rufai’s Death Adds to Long List of July Tragedies in Nigerian Football