8th African Nations Championship: Rabiu Ali, Manyo, Alimi, 15 others, to tackle Black Galaxies

Posted : 21 December 2024

The stand-in Head Coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, has selected ageless warhorse Rabiu Ali, wing-back Sadiq Ishmael, center-back Stephen Manyo, midfielders Musa Zayyad and Jide Fatokun, and forwards Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi in an 18-man roster for Sunday’s 8th African Nations Championship qualifying match against Ghana’s Black Galaxies in Accra.

The coach also included goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defender Victor Collins, and forward Abubakar Adamu for the must-win two-leg fixture. The Black Galaxies are the reason Nigeria failed to qualify for the championship on two separate occasions in the past, namely in 2009 and 2023.

Watch NPFL Matches LIVE: https://www.africasport.net/livetv/nigeria

The Super Eagles B, under the guidance of Ogunmodede and Coaches Fidelis Ilechukwu and Olatunji Baruwa, had staggered training sessions over three weeks from October, before a final training camp commenced at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, three weeks ago.

Sunday’s first-leg fixture is scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium, with kick-off set for 4pm Ghana time (5pm in Nigeria). Meanwhile, a few kilometers away, both countries’ U-17 girls will battle for the inaugural WAFU B U-17 Cup at the Ghana Centre of Excellence in Prampram.

Over the past 10 months, Nigeria has dominated Ghana at the international level, starting with the Super Eagles’ 2-1 defeat of the Black Stars in a friendly match in Marrakech, Morocco — a first win for Nigeria against their West African rivals at senior level in 18 years.

In the summer, Nigeria’s U-17 boys edged the Black Satellites 3-2 in the third-place match of the WAFU B U-17 Championship hosted by Ghana. In October, the Flying Eagles defeated the Black Satellites 3-1 to successfully retain their WAFU B U-20 Championship title in Lomé, Togo.

Togolese referee Aklesso Gnama will officiate Sunday’s encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium, with compatriots Jonathan Ahonto Koffi, Wassiou Tchamolla Ourotou, and Kossi Fabrice Senyo serving as assistant 1, assistant 2, and fourth official, respectively.

Liberian Ivan Gartor Brown will serve as commissioner, while Hugues Alain Adjovi from Benin will be the referee assessor.

The second leg will be held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 28th December. The winner on aggregate will secure a ticket to the 8th African Nations Championship, which will take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from 1st to 28th February 2025.

18 Super Eagles B for war against Ghana Black Galaxies:

Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)

Defenders: Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City); Imo Obot (Enyimba FC); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Manyo (Rivers United)

Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors)

Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

8th African Nations Championship: Rabiu Ali, Manyo, Alimi, 15 others, to tackle Black Galaxies

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