The CHAN Eagles under the charge of coach Daniel Ogunmodede will today take the first big step of qualifying for the delayed 2024 CHAN in Accra.
The home-based Super Eagles will have to be at their best against Ghana’s Black Galaxies this afternoon in the first leg of the final playoff for the CHAN.
Ogunmodede favoured formation is 4-3-3, a flat back four with wingers and a top striker.
SCORENigeria checks have revealed that Enyimba goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena will man the goalpost ahead of the more experienced Kayode Bankole.
Bankole was in goal when Ghana stopped the team from the 2022 CHAN in Algeria, but he has struggled for regular first-team football this season following the arrival of Benin goalkeeper Serge Obassa.
The back four will most likely be made up of right back Ismail Sodiq from Remo Stars, left back Imo Obot of Enyimba with Remo Stars captain Nduka Junior partnering either Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers) or Victor Collins (Nasarawa United) in the heart of the defence.
Collins, who was invited to the Super Eagles camp for 2025 AFCON qualifiers last month, featured last season at Remo Stars and so has a good understanding Nduka Junior.
However, like Ogunmodede admitted, Onyebuchi has been outstanding in training camp.
Another Remo Stars player, Jide Fatokun, will be the main defensive midfielder, while another revelation, Papa Daniel from Niger Tornadoes will support him with a license to venture upfront.
At the grand old age of 44, Rabiu Ali ‘Pele’ will be expected to support the attack as the main offensive midfielder.
He currently has scored eight goals in the NPFL for Kano Pillars this season.
The strike force has Sikiru Alimi of Remo Stars as the top striker, while the wingers are Anas Yusuf, who is the leading scorer in the NPFL with 10 goals thus far, and the left-footed Adamu Abubakar, a tricky wide man similar to Samuel Chukwueze of Super Eagles.
CHAN Eagles Starting XI vs Ghana (4-3-3) – Henry Ozoemena – Ismail Sodiq, Imo Obot, Nduka Junior, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi/Victor Collins – Jide Fatokun, Papa Daniel, Rabiu Ali – Anas Yusuf, Sikiru Alimi, Adamu Abubakar
