Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen has shared his initial thoughts on the home based CHAN Eagles’ performance following the conclusion of their first phase of training in preparation for the 2025 CHAN qualifiers against Ghana, slated for December 2024. The two day training camp, held in Abuja, included 35 players from the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL.
Coach Eguavoen expressed satisfaction with the technical proficiency demonstrated by the squad during the sessions. Very impressive, only two training sessions, but you can see that technically they are very good, he remarked to NFF TV. However, he acknowledged the need for further work to ensure cohesion among players from various clubs, aiming to mould them into a unified team.
The CHAN Eagles are set to face Ghana in a two legged qualifier, with the first match occurring between December 20 and 22 and the return leg a week later in Nigeria. The victor will earn a place in the 2025 CHAN tournament to be hosted in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The players have been released to their respective clubs ahead of NPFL Matchday 10 and will reconvene in Abuja for continued preparations at the FIFA Gold Project facility.
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Nigeria has not qualified for the last two editions of CHAN, a tournament exclusively for domestic league players, as organized by the Confederation of African Football CAF.
Editorial
The initial success of the CHAN Eagles’ first training phase offers both optimism and perspective. Augustine Eguavoen’s positive remarks reflect a promising start, with players showing commendable technical skills. However, his cautionary note about the need for more work is equally significant. The challenge of blending talent from various clubs into a cohesive unit cannot be overstated, particularly as the squad prepares for high stakes matches against a formidable Ghanaian side.
We believe this preparation phase is critical, given Nigeria’s absence from the last two CHAN tournaments. The stakes are high, not only for the players but also for the reputation of domestic football. A successful qualification could renew faith in the NPFL’s ability to nurture competitive talent capable of challenging on the continental stage. It is a reminder that robust domestic leagues play a pivotal role in sustaining national teams’ strength.
The focus now shifts to how Eguavoen and his technical crew will build on this initial success and foster teamwork and strategy. As fans and supporters, we hope to see a well drilled side capable of claiming victory over Ghana and advancing to the 2025 CHAN.
Did You Know?
- The CHAN tournament, unlike AFCON, only features players who play in their home country’s domestic leagues.
- Nigeria has only won a CHAN medal once, securing silver in the 2018 edition.
- Augustine Eguavoen, a former Super Eagles defender, has also managed the national team in other high profile tournaments.
- The upcoming 2025 CHAN will be hosted by three East African nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- The last time Nigeria faced Ghana in a CHAN qualifier, they narrowly missed out on qualification in a close contest.
