Super Eagles camp update: 28 players in Ikenne battling for African Nations Championship spots

Preparations for Nigeria’s campaign at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) gathered momentum on Wednesday as two players from Abia Warriors, Anthony Ijeoma and Sunday Megwo joined the CHAN Eagles camp in Ikenne, Ogun State, bringing the number of players in camp to 28, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The home-based Super Eagles, under the watchful eye of Head Coach Eric Chelle, concluded their first training session for Wednesday at the Remo Stars Sports Institute. With competition for places intensifying, several players spoke about the atmosphere and pressure in camp.

Nduka Junior of Remo Stars expressed confidence and focus after the team’s recent session," Nduka said.

"It was a good training session the good training session we had both yesterday evening and this morning. 

"It has been intense in camp and as you can see the boys are are ready and are prepared for for the tax ahead.

"Definitely everyone is under pressure but however the the coach wants uh the best among the 35 players."

Rivers United forward Aniekeme Okon described the experience so far as both challenging and rewarding. 

"I see it as an opportunity and so far and with the experience and what I see so far it's been good a bit pressure on us because 35 player being invited. 

“Everybody is going to give out their best to expectation for coach to to do the selection. So for now, yeah, keep doing, you keep pushing," he noted.

For Leonard Ngenge of Ikorodu City, the invitation to camp is a significant personal milestone. 

"Well, due to what the coaches said, they said that obviously me being there is cuz I deserve it. And I'm just going to say thanks to God. 

"For me, it's an amazing step for me being there. So, it's I'm just going to say thanks to God. 

"Yeah, obviously put everyone under pressure myself, but obviously I just need to contain myself and do what best I can do to be on the coach's radar. And uh hopefully I get to that by the grace of God,” he shared.

Coach Chelle has placed strong emphasis on thorough preparation and evaluating a large pool of 35 home-based players before naming his final squad for the tournament. 

Nigeria, drawn in Group D alongside defending champions Senegal, Sudan, and Congo, aims to better the runners-up finish achieved in 2018.

With more training sessions planned and the squad now expanded, the CHAN Eagles continue to sharpen tactics and build team cohesion as the countdown to the tournament continues.

Wale Adejumo

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