Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) have been dealt a blow, with five key players becoming ineligible.
The CHAN tournament is strictly reserved for players active in their home domestic leagues.
According to information made available by the team, five players from the squad have confirmed their transfers from the Nigeria domestic league, effectively ruling them out of eligibility for the competition.
The affected players are Abubakar Sadiq, Philip Adejo, Saviour Isaac, Papa Daniels Mustapha and Waliu Ojetoye.
All five have recently completed moves abroad albeit no further information was provided on the players’ futures.
In addition, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi of Rangers has been ruled out due to injury and will not join the CHAN camp, further depleting the squad’s options.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt of Sporting Lagos will also be unavailable, as he is currently committed to Nigeria’s U20 national team duties.
These changes are expected to force a reshuffle in Coach Eric Chelle’s plans as he looks to assemble a competitive squad for the continental competition.
