Nigeria vs Ghana: Eguavoen names 44-year-old star in 30-man Super Eagles squad for CHAN clash

Super Eagles B interim coach Austin Eguavoen has invited 30 home-based players to camp ahead of Nigeria’s 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against arch-rivals Ghana, Soccernet.ng reports.

Among the notable call-ups is veteran Kano Pillars midfielder Rabiu Ali, who is returning to the national team fold at age 44.

Ali has been in scintillating form, netting eight goals in the ongoing 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

The squad also features Nigeria Premier League top scorer Anas Yusuf, Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Rivers United defender Steven Mayo, and Abia Warriors forward Sunday Megwo.

Enyimba’s Henry Ozoemena and Enugu Rangers midfield maestro Kazeem Ogunleye also earned spots in the team. Nasarawa United’s Victor Collins, who was part of Nigeria’s squad for last month’s AFCON qualifiers, adds further experience to the group.

Players will converge at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Wednesday, 4 December, to begin preparations.

The first leg is set for Sunday, 22 December, in Accra, with the return leg scheduled for Saturday, 28 December, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

CHAN, a tournament for players plying their trade in domestic leagues, will hold its eighth edition across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in February 2025.

Nigeria will aim to overcome a challenging Ghanaian hurdle that has historically denied them CHAN finals spots, including heartbreaks in 2009 and 2023.

The most recent encounter saw both nations tied after two legs, with Ghana progressing on penalties in Abuja after a 2-0 win each in their respective home fixtures.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United)

Defenders: Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars), Waliu Ojewole (Ikorodu City), Imo Obot (Enyimba FC), Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United), Junior Nduka (Remo Stars), Victor Collins (Nasarawa United), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), Steven Mayo (Rivers United)

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

Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United), Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United), Osy Martins (Lobi Stars), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), Temitope Vincent (Plateau United), Samuel Ogunleye (3SC), Abiam Nelson (Kano Pillars), Meyiwa Oritseweyimi (Bendel Insurance), Ngbemena Ikechukwu (Heartland FC), Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors), Umar Al-Amin Ibrahim (El-Kanemi Warriors), Adams Aminu Sani (Kano Pillars).