Coach of the Super Eagles, Coach Sunday Oliseh has commenced preparations for the CHAN championships with the formal invitation of 26 players for the first phase of his camping ahead of the competition which holds next month in Rwanda.
According to a release signed by Ademola Olajire of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), those invited include; forward Gbolahan Salami and defender Chima Akas alongside regulars Kalu Orji, Austin Oboroakpo, Jamiu Alimi (defenders), midfielders Ifeanyi Mathew, Paul Onobi, Usman Mohammed and Bature Yaro, forwards Ezekiel Bassey, Tunde Adeniji, Chisom Chikatara and Prince Aggrey, and goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Olufemi Thomas.
The invited players have been directed to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja on Monday, December 14.
Nigeria won the bronze medal at the last African Nations Championship held in South Africa in early 2014. The 4th edition runs between 16th January and 7th February, 2016.
The Super Eagles B are drawn in Group C of the competition alongside Niger Republic, Tunisia and Guinea, with matches to be played at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo in Kigali.
However, Nigeria will now train in Pretoria, South Africa, to prepare for next year’s CHAN in Rwanda as against a proposal by coach Sunday Oliseh to set up a training camp in Tanzania.
Officials said the change was necessitated because Tanzania do not have a standard artificial pitch, which will be what will be used in Rwanda.
The Eagles are expected to set up a training base in Pretoria later this month.
The full list:
Goalkeepers: Ikechuk- wu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); David Obiazor (Heartland FC); Okemute Odah (Warri Wolves).
Defenders: Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers); Austin Oboroakpo (Warri Wolves); Jamiu Alimi (Shooting Stars); Mathew Etim (Enugu Rangers); Stephen Eze (Sun- shine Stars); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Chris Madaki (Giwa FC).
Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Bature Yaro (Nasarawa United); Osas Okoro (Enugu Rangers); Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Warri Wolves); Julius Ubido (Heartland FC); Ibrahim Salawa Attah (Shooting Stars); Christian Madu (Enugu Rangers).
Forwards: Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Tunde Adeniji (Sunshine Stars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC Ifeanyi Ubah); Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars).
