Stand-in Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede has selected veteran player Rabiu Ali, wing-back Sadiq Ishmael, center-back Stephen Manyo, midfielders Musa Zayyad and Jide Fatokun, along with forwards Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi for an 18-man squad ahead of Sunday’s crucial African Nations Championship qualifying match against Ghana’s Black Galaxies in Accra.
The coach has also included goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defender Victor Collins, and forward Abubakar Adamu in the lineup for this critical two-leg encounter, as the Galaxies have previously thwarted Nigeria’s attempts to qualify for the championship in both 2009 and 2023.
Under the guidance of Ogunmodede, along with Coaches Fidelis Ilechukwu and Olatunji Baruwa, the Super Eagles B have engaged in staggered training sessions over the past three weeks, culminating in a final training camp at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo.
The first leg of the match is set to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 4 PM local time (5 PM in Nigeria). Meanwhile, both nations’ U17 girls will compete for the inaugural WAFU B U17 Cup at the Ghana Centre of Excellence in Prampram, just a short distance away.
In the last 10 months, Nigeria has had the upper hand over Ghana in international competitions, beginning with the Super Eagles’ 2-1 victory against the Black Stars in a friendly match in Marrakech, Morocco—marking Nigeria’s first senior-level win against their West African rivals in 18 years.
18 SUPER EAGLES B FOR WAR AGAINST GHANA’S 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)
