Coach Daniel Ogunmodede is keeping faith with most of the players that earned qualification for the CAF Africa Nations Championships billed to start February 2 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The team is expected to resume closed camping at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo Ogun State Monday with the players and coaches optimistic of going far in the CHAN Nigeria has been absent for eight years. They dispatched Ghana’s Galaxies 3-0 in December to book their ticket.
Captain Nduka Harrison Junior, goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defenders Sodiq Ismail and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielder Savior Isaac, and forward Sikiru Alimi topped the list of 26 players.
Others are 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.
New call-ups are goalkeeper Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United) and Afeez Bankole (Smart FC).
The 8th 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.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United)
Defenders: Sodiq 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); Savior 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)
