CHAN
Super Eagles B Held to 2-2 Draw in Final CHAN Warm-Up Match
Nigeria’s Super Eagles B rounded off their preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a 2-2 draw in their final warm-up match played on Wednesday.
The Nigerian side, coached by Eric Chelle, went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United and Adedayo Olamilekan of Remo Stars. Both players took their chances well, giving the team early momentum and boosting confidence ahead of Saturday’s CHAN opener.
Coach Chelle, who had earlier made five changes to the starting lineup from Monday’s trial game, handed starting berths to Akanni Kudus, Egbe Manyo, Malik Jabbar, Vincent Temitope, and Anas Yusuf, as he continued to test his options and assess players’ readiness.
In a strategic move during the second half, the coach fielded the entire bench to ensure all squad members had match action.
The team, however, struggled to maintain the same intensity, allowing their opponents to claw back and level the scoreline.
Chelle, wary of last-minute injuries, reportedly urged his players to slow the pace and avoid unnecessary risks, emphasising the need to remain fit and focused ahead of the tournament kick-off.
The Super Eagles B will now turn full attention to their CHAN campaign, where they hope to make a strong impression.
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Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles will look to sharpen their claws when they face hosts Zanzibar on Thursday in the second of a two-match build-up series ahead of the 8th African Nations Championship (CHAN), which kicks off on Saturday.
The first warm-up game between both teams ended in a goalless stalemate on Monday at the Mau Stadium, located in central Zanzibar.
Despite dominating the match with superior ball possession and multiple chances, Nigeria were unable to break down a resolute Zanzibar defence that worked tirelessly to keep the scoreboard blank.
Among the standout performers for Nigeria in that match were Adedayo Olamilekan, Hadi Haruna, Sikiru Alimi and Harrison Tochukwu.
Also in action were goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani, team captain Nduka Junior, Leonard Ngenge, Abdulrafiu Taiwo, Sodiq Ismaila, Ijoma Anthony, Harrison Ozondu, Akanni Qudus, Taofeek Otaniyi, Godwin Obaje, Jabbar Malik and Shola Adelani.
Thursday’s return encounter at the same Mau Stadium will be the team’s final tune-up before their tournament opener against defending champions Senegal on Tuesday, August 5, at the 15,000-capacity Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
Nigeria, silver medallists at the 2018 edition and bronze winners in 2014, are placed in Group D alongside Senegal, Sudan and Congo — the only group with four teams in the 19-nation tournament. The Eagles will take on Sudan on Tuesday, August 12, at the Amaan Stadium, and round off their group stage campaign against Congo on Tuesday, August 19, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Other venues for the month-long championship include the Moi International Sports Centre and Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, and the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
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Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi announced on Monday that Morocco is drafting a law to manage criminal incidents during major international events.
The initiative comes within the legal preparation for upcoming tournaments, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup 2030.
Ouahbi addressed concerns about security measures related to these events.
He said that a large influx of visitors might result in some incidents, such as minor violence or other bigger crimes.
To handle such cases effectively, the ministry studied legal frameworks in countries that have already hosted similar tournaments and decided to implement specific regulations.
The new proposed law involves the establishment of special committees at every stadium where the matches will take place.
These committees, led by public prosecutors and supported by security forces and the Royal Gendarmerie, could intervene on the spot in case an offense occurred within the stadium. The idea behind this is to ensure swift and efficient solutions on the spot.
Another significant measure of the law is that it allows authorities to deport foreign offenders to their respective countries for prosecution, instead of detaining them in Morocco.
Ouahbi explained that the reason for this is to avoid any potential legal and logistical complications that could result from detaining foreigners. This includes the detainee’s health status, which can complicate things at times.
The law applies exclusively to spectators holding valid match tickets.
On the legal status of players, Ouahbi stated that the ministry is working on a separate framework, which will be presented to parliament once finalised.
Morocco is working hard to make these upcoming major sporting events an enjoyable experience for everyone
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles B were held to a 0-0 draw by Zanzibar in a preparatory friendly match played at the Amaan Stadium on Monday, as part of their build-up to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The match, though goalless, provided a useful test for Coach Eric Chelle’s locally-based squad, offering valuable insights into the team’s tactical cohesion, defensive stability, and areas needing improvement ahead of the continental tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Another friendly match with Zanzibar is expected to hold on Thursday.
The CHAN tournament, which runs from August 2 to 30, is reserved exclusively for players competing in their national domestic leagues, making it a vital platform for showcasing homegrown talent.
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