Stand-in Head Coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has called up captain Nduka Harrison Junior, goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defenders Sadiq Ismail and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielder Saviour Isaac, and forward Sikiru Alimi among a list of 26 players to begin closed-camping exercise at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo on Monday, 6^th January ahead of the 8^th African Nations Championship finals.

Goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defenders Imo Obot and Stephen Manyo, midfielders Musa Zayyad, Rabiu Ali and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Adamu Abubakar and Emmanuel Ogbole have also been invited.

The Super Eagles B, for the first time ever in the qualification series, bumped Ghana’s Black Galaxies to reach the final tournament, after a 3-1 win in Uyo last week that followed a scoreless first leg in Accra six days earlier.  

Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, who have been selected to jointly host the 36^th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, have been handed the opportunity to test-run their facilities and operational efficiency with the African Nations Championship finals, scheduled for 1^st – 28^th February.

The 8^th African Nations Championship will feature 18 countries, viz joint-hosts Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Niger Republic, Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Angola and Madagascar.

26 EAGLES FOR CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO

Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United)

Defenders: Sadiq Ismail (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City); Imo Obot (Enyimba FC); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Nduka Harrison Junior (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Manyo (Rivers United); Abiam Nelson (Kano Pillars); Afeez Bankole (Smart FC)

Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers International)

Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United)); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Samuel Ayanrinde (3SC); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors)  

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Remo Stars wing-back, Sodiq Ismail, whose goal opened scoring for Nigeria in the 3-1 defeat of Ghana’s Black Galaxies will not be part of the Nigerian squad when the African Nations Championship kicks off next month in East Africa.

Also out of the Nigerian squad is Jide Fatokun, a midfielder. Sports Village Square has gathered that Sodiq has signed a contract with the Albanian top league club, FK Partizani Tirana.

He is only awaiting the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to conclude the deal.

By regulation, the African Nations Championship is open only to nationals who must be playing in their countries’ leagues.

The transfer from Remo Stars to another team outside the Nigerian league automatically knocks him out of the African Nations Championship.

 Sodiq who had spent nine years with Remo Stars was first called up to the national team when he was handed a starting line-up shirt by Finidi George in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying match with South Africa in June.

FK Partizani Tirana club that Sodiq is joining is currently second in the 10-team league. Jide Fatokun, it was gathered is Sudan-bound as he is expected to join Al-Merrikh.

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The second leg of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers delivered dramatic moments on Saturday as Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal and DR Congo booked their places in the final phase of the competition.

The Central African Republic (CAR) achieved a historic first qualification by eliminating Cameroon in a stunning 2-1 comeback in Bafoussam. 

Despite Angel Yondjo Matah’s opener for Cameroon in the 31st minute, Barry Nelson’s penalty equalised before Bertillon Arnold Yangana sealed victory in the 87th minute.

Cameroon, semi-finalists in 2021, failed to qualify for CHAN for the first time in seven editions.

In Bamako, Burkina Faso overturned a two-goal deficit from the first leg against Côte d’Ivoire. Goals from Aboubacar Traoré and Franck Kanté levelled the aggregate score, forcing penalties.

The Stallions held their nerve, converting four spot-kicks to the Elephants’ two, securing their spot at CHAN 2024.

DR Congo continued their dominance at home with a 3-1 victory over Chad in Kinshasa to also clinch their spot at the tournament in February.

Oscar Kabwit gave the Leopards an early lead, with Jonathan Mokonzi and Nyembo Ntumba sealing the win in the second half after Chad briefly equalized through Ahmat Abdraman.

Elsewhere, Guinea confirmed their superiority over Guinea-Bissau with a 2-1 away win, completing a 6-2 aggregate triumph.

Goals from Mohamed Saliou Bangoura and Naby Bangoura ensured Guinea’s qualification under coach Souleymane Camara Abedy.

Meanwhile Senegal defeated Liberia 3-0 to also secured their place thanks to goals by Oumar Ba, Baye Ciss and Madione Mbaye to secure their ticket to the tournament.

In Uyo, Nigeria’s local Super Eagles secured a 3-1 win over Ghana’s Black Galaxies to book their place.

Quick goals from Sadiq Ismail, Nduka Junior, and Saviour Isaac in the first half proved decisive, with Stephen Amankona scoring a consolation for Ghana.

These results highlight thefierce competition as the stage for CHAN 2024 in East Africa is set.

-CAF