Daniel Ogunmodede, the stand-in head coach of the CHAN Eagles, has called 23 players to begin camping ahead of the 8th edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals.

The CHAN Eagles are expected to begin closed-camp training at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun.

The CHAN championship is reserved for only players plying their trades in Africa, especially in their home countries.

Ademola Olajire, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), made this known in a statement on Saturday.

Olajire said captain Nduka Junior, goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, and forward Sikiru Alimi were among the 26 players invited to camp.

According to him, the others invited were defenders Sadiq Ismail, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielder Saviour Isaac, goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, and defender Imo Obot.

Also included are Stephen Manyo, midfielders Musa Zayyad, Rabiu Ali, Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Adamu Abubakar and Emmanuel Ogbole.

For the first time, the Super Eagles B team defeated Ghana’s Black Galaxies 3-1 to reach the tournament finals.

Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, which will jointly host the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, will host the CHAN tournament scheduled for February 1 to 28, 2025.

The 8th CHAN finals will feature 18 countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania and Burkina Faso.

Others are the Central African Republic, Niger Republic, Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Angola and Madagascar.

Full list of players invited:

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); and Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors).

(NAN)