NIGERIA’s home-based Super Eagles squad at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been dealt another setback, as first-choice goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani and defender Stephen Mayo have both been ruled out of the team’s final Group D clash against DR Congo in Dar es Salaam.
The CHAN Eagles, who played their opening two games in Zanzibar, lost 0–1 to Senegal and 0–4 to Sudan, results which condemned them to an early exit from the competition. With no points and no goals scored so far, their last fixture at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium tomorrow has become a formality.
A team official confirmed on Wednesday that Ani, who has been sidelined since the opening match, sustained a knee injury that prevented him from featuring against Senegal and Sudan.
Mayo, on the other hand, picked up a shoulder injury in training on Sunday and has only just resumed light training, ruling him out of the crucial clash with Congo.
Despite the setback, the Super Eagles B have been putting in evening training sessions at 5:30 p.m. local time since their arrival in Dar es Salaam, as they look to acclimatize to the new pitch and environment.
Team media officer Promise Efoghe told The Guardian that the players are eager to end the tournament on a high, despite their struggles so far.
“There is no place for the best third-placed team in this championship, but the team want to repay the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigerians with a win, in appreciation of the efforts and resources that have been spent on them,” Efoghe said.
Football analysts say the CHAN Eagles’ poor outing highlights ongoing concerns about the strength and preparation of Nigeria’s home-based players, especially when compared to their continental counterparts.
The absence of two key men in Ani and Mayo only adds to the challenge facing head coach and his technical crew.
Nigeria’s fans, both at home and in Dar es Salaam, will be hoping the team can salvage pride with a victory against DR Congo and at least bow out of the tournament with a performance worthy of the Super Eagles name.
