Nigeria’s home-based senior men’s national team – the Super Eagles B – begin their hunt for continental glory on Tuesday when they face defending champions Senegal in their opening match of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The fixture, which holds at the 15,000-capacity Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, is Nigeria’s first game in Group D – the only group with four teams – and comes with plenty riding on it as Eric Chelle’s side look to make a strong statement early.
Having made only three previous appearances in the 16-year-old tournament reserved for players active in their domestic leagues, Nigeria’s track record at CHAN has been inconsistent. They won bronze in 2014 under the late Stephen Keshi and reached the final in 2018, but failed to qualify for the last two editions.
Now, with a blend of familiar names and exciting new faces, Chelle’s 23-man squad are hoping to rewrite the narrative.
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“We believe in what we’re building,” Chelle said ahead of the game. “The boys have trained hard, shown great commitment in camp, and are ready to take on the challenge.”
Several players from the team that saw off Ghana’s Black Galaxies in the qualifiers return for the finals, including goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani, defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Junior Nduka, and forward Sikiru Alimi. They are joined by standout additions like defenders Steven Mayo and Leonard Ngenge, midfielders Hadi Haruna and Michael Tochukwu, and attackers Shola Adelani and Godwin Obaje.
Tuesday’s opener against Senegal is seen as Nigeria’s toughest group fixture, and a win would ease pressure ahead of games against Sudan and Congo.
The 2024 edition, branded **Pamoja 2024**, is historic as the first CHAN to be hosted by three countries – Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda – in what is a test run for their joint hosting of the 2027 AFCON.
While Nigeria prepare for battle, co-hosts Tanzania have already laid down a marker, beating Burkina Faso 2–0 on Saturday in Group B.
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