The home-based Super Eagles, also known as Super Eagles B, will have their first training session in Zanzibar on Saturday as preparations begin in earnest for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The Nigerian contingent arrived on the chain of islands, officially known as an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, where all their Group Stage matches will be played.

The team is lodged at the Blue Ocean Hotel and Resort, a seaside facility providing an ideal setting for rest and focus.

Inside the Ocean Blue Hotel & resort

Led by head coach Eric Chelle, with assistants Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu, the team held a technical and video analysis meeting earlier on Saturday to review strategies and opponents ahead of their campaign.

The first field session is scheduled to take place at the Maidara Training Centre, marking the start of on-ground preparations for the continental tournament reserved for players plying their trade in domestic leagues.

Nigeria, a traditional powerhouse in African football, will be hoping to make a strong impression in this year’s CHAN tournament and improve on their past performances, which include a runners-up finish in 2018.

More updates on the team’s training sessions and fixtures are expected in the coming days.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Nigeria’s team for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), popularly known as the Super Eagles B, has arrived in Zanzibar, Tanzania, for the final phase of their preparations ahead of the continental tournament.

The squad departed Nigeria on Thursday, July 25, from their training base in Ikenne, flying via Lagos with Ethiopian Airlines, and touched down in Zanzibar later that day.

The team will be based in Zanzibar from July 25 to 31, where they will intensify their training programme and play two friendly matches against the Zanzibar national team on July 28 and July 31.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group D of the CHAN tournament, alongside Senegal, Sudan, and Congo. The Super Eagles B will begin their campaign with a tough opener against defending champions Senegal on Tuesday, August 5.

The CHAN tournament, which is exclusively for players active in domestic leagues, provides a crucial platform for home-based talent to showcase their skills on the continental stage. The Super Eagles B are aiming to improve on their runner-up finish at the 2018 edition.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Remo Stars, Nigeria’s champions, have stamped their authority on Nigeria’s final squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), with no fewer than nine players from the Ikenne-based club making Head Coach Eric Chelle’s 23-man list.

Leading the pack is team captain Junior Harrison Nduka, alongside striker Sikiru Alimi and forward Jabbar Malik.

The CHAN tournament, exclusively for players competing in domestic leagues, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from August 2 to 30.

Other Remo Stars players who made the cut include defender Sodiq Ismaila, the quintet midfielders ofAdedayo Olamilekan, Hadi Haruna, Akanni Qudus, Michael Tochukwu and Alex Oyowah.

Next to Remo Stars in terms of number of players supplied to the national team are  Ikorodu United, which narrowly missed out in the struggle for the CAF Confederation Cup ticket, and Rivers United.

Both clubs have three players in Chelle’s squad. They are Ikorodu City’s defenders Uzondu Harrison and Ngengen Leonard, as well as Shola Adelani, a striker.

The trio of Rivers United players in the squad are: defenders Taiwo Abdulrafiu and Steven Mayo Egbe, as well as midfielder Otaniyi Taofik.

 The squad also features players from Enyimba, Kwara United,  Plateau United, Abia Warriors, Nasarawa United, and Enugu Rangers International.

The Super Eagles B team has been in camp for several weeks at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, preparing for the continental showpiece. The squad is scheduled to depart Nigeria on Thursday evening aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight for Zanzibar, where they will continue their build-up.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has arranged a second-phase training camp in Zanzibar, running from July 25 to 31. During this period, the Eagles will play two friendly matches against the Zanzibar senior national team — first on Monday, July 28, and again on Thursday, July 31.

Nigeria, silver medallists at CHAN 2018 and bronze winners in 2014, have been drawn in Group D alongside defending champions Senegal, Sudan, and Congo.

 The team’s opening two group matches — against Senegal and Sudan — will take place at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar. In contrast, the final group game against Congo is set for the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

SUPER EAGLES B FOR 8^TH AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena Ani (Enyimba FC); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United); Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars)

Defenders: Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Bankole Afeez (Kwara United); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Uzondu Harrison (Ikorodu City); Junior Harrison Nduka (Remo Stars); Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City); Steven Mayo Egbe (Rivers United)

Midfielders: Adedayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars); Hadi Haruna (Remo Stars); Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United); Akanni Qudus (Remo Stars); Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars); Alex Oyowah (Remo Stars)

Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors); Godwin Obaje (Rangers International); Jabbar Malik (Remo Stars)

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H