The home-based Super Eagles kicked off their preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Remo Stars in a friendly match held in Ikenne on Tuesday, Afrosport reports.
The encounter served as the team’s first warm-up fixture since opening their training camp last week Monday, as they continue fine-tuning strategies ahead of the CHAN tournament set to kick off early next month across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Abia Warriors forward Anthony Ijoma emerged as the match-winner, scoring the decisive goal that sealed victory for the Super Eagles. The match provided valuable minutes and tactical insight for the coaching crew as they assess the readiness of the squad.
The team is under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle. Supporting him are two of the most experienced figures in the Nigerian domestic football scene, Daniel Ogunmodede, the 2024-25 NPFL-winning coach with Remo Stars, and Fidelis Ilechukwu, a seasoned tactician and former league winner with Enugu Rangers.
Ogunmodede and Ilechukwu offer critical insight into the strengths and characteristics of players in the NPFL, which is key to the CHAN tournament, as the competition is exclusively for players who ply their trade in domestic leagues across Africa.
The Super Eagles are expected to play more friendly matches in the coming days as they sharpen their gameplay and build chemistry ahead of the CHAN competition. With strong domestic backing and a blend of coaching expertise, the team will be aiming for a strong showing when the continental tournament gets underway.
Nigeria is in group D alongside Senegal, Congo, and Sudan, the tournament will kick-off on August 2-30, 2025.
