Chan 2018: Ezenwa, Rabiu Ali lead Nigeria’s final squad
Nigeria on Tuesday announced their final 23-man squad for the 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan) starting in Morocco next week.
Captain and goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, midfield Trojan Rabiu Ali and marksman Anthony Okpotu were listed by head coach Salisu Yusuf.
Ezenwa is joined for the goalkeeping duties by Oladele Ajiboye and Theophilus Afelokhai and defensive stalwarts Osas Okoro, Stephen Eze and Kalu Orji Okogbue also made the list, as midfielders Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Ekundayo Ojo and forwards Sunday Faleye and Emeka Atuloma.
The Super Eagles B squad and officials are expected to fly out of the country in a few days to continue preparations in Morocco.
Nigeria face Rwanda in their opening match of the tournament in Tangier on Monday, January 15.
The 2014 bronze medalists will also play 2014 champions Libya at the same Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier on Friday, January 19 before completing the group games against Equatorial Guinea in Agadir on Tuesday, January 23.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba), Oladele Ajiboye (Plateau United), Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba)
Defenders: Osas Okoro (Rangers), Daniel James (Plateau United), Kalu Orji Okogbue (Rangers), Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba), Abdullahi Musa (Wikki Tourists), Timothy Danladi (Katsina United), Ifeanyi Nweke (Kano Pillars), Stephen Eze (Kano Pillars)
Midfielders: Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United), Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Augustine Oladapo (Enyimba), Ekundayo Ojo (Sunshine Stars)
Forwards: Emeka Atuloma (Rivers United), Anthony Okpotu (Lobi Stars), Eneji Moses (Plateau United), Ibrahim Mustapha (Enyimba), Emeka Ogbuh (Rivers United), Sunday Faleye (Akwa United), Nura Muhammed (El-Kanemi Warriors), Okechukwu Gabriel (Akwa United)