Nigeria will look to rest the ghosts of non- qualification for the CHAN championship when they lock horns with their counterparts from the Ivory Coast in a CHAN 2014 qualifier slated for this weekend at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
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The CHAN Championship, designated for African players plying their trade on the continent is into it's third edition and Nigeria has never been able to make it to the biennial tourney.
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Nigeria were edged out of qualifying for the first ever edition when their West African neighbors Ghana edged them out is a pulsating two legged encounter.
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Niger were next in line to eliminate their more illustrious neighbors in the qualifiers for the second edition that was hosted by Sudan.
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The home based Eagles go into this encounter as favorites this time out because of the eclectic nature of the present squad. Stephen Keshi has kept faith with eight members of the squad that took part in the just concluded Confederations Cup and their experience will definitely come to fruition this time out.
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Sunday Mba, who's goal separated the two sides last time they met at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa will be the star man in a squad that also has Godfrey Oboabona, who is a stalwart in the main team as well as Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis and Emeka Eze from Enugu Rangers.
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Waiting in the wings to make his international bow is Sunshine Stars of Akure's burly attacker Dele Olorundare. The tall striker has been a consistent striker on the local scene and was instrumental to the Akure Gunners impressive run in the CAF Confederations Cup last season. He has already chalked up 11 goals in the Glo Nigeria Premier League and is in good form going into the game.
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Gambo Mohammed will look to exorcise the demons of his miss against Spain at the Confederations Cup.
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The Kano Pillars forward, much vilified by fans for the miss is optimistic he will make amends even though he is not happy with how fans have reacted to his missed chance against Spain.
Let's just ensure we have victory at the end of the day. Things must turn around for good this time around...