The Home Eagles are bracing for a challenging start to the 2024 African Nations Championship CHAN after failing to secure a seeded position for the tournament. The draw will take place at the Confederation of African Football CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday.
This marks the Eagles’ return to CHAN after a six year hiatus. Their qualification came with a 3-1 aggregate victory over rivals Ghana in the final qualifying round. Despite this accomplishment, their unseeded status places them at risk of facing some of the tournament’s strongest teams in the early stages.
CAF has confirmed that seedings will be determined based on results from the last three CHAN editions 2022, 2020, and 2018. Pot 1 will include co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, alongside defending champions Senegal.
The CHAN tournament, exclusive to players competing in their respective local leagues, will take place from February 1 to February 28, 2025.
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Editorial
The Home Eagles’ return to CHAN is a significant milestone, yet their unseeded status highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s domestic football scene. This development underscores the need for stronger local leagues and consistent performances in continental competitions.
Being unseeded means the Eagles could face formidable teams like Senegal or one of the co-hosts early on, a prospect that demands exceptional preparation. While their qualification after a six year absence is commendable, it also signals a broader issue: the gap between potential and consistent execution in Nigerian football.
We believe this tournament presents a golden opportunity for the Home Eagles to redefine their standing on the continental stage. The players’ resilience and ability to overcome tough opposition will not only boost morale but also elevate the profile of Nigeria’s local leagues.
The Nigerian Football Federation must seize this moment to invest further in grassroots development, coaching, and league infrastructure. By addressing these foundational issues, Nigeria can ensure that future CHAN campaigns are launched from a position of strength, not disadvantage.
Did You Know?
- CHAN, unlike AFCON, features only players who compete in their domestic leagues.
- The tournament debuted in 2009, with Ivory Coast hosting the inaugural edition.
- Senegal, the defending champions, won their first CHAN title in 2022, defeating Algeria in the final.
- Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are co-hosting the 2024 edition, the first time CHAN has multiple hosts.
- Nigeria’s best CHAN performance came in 2018, when they finished as runners-up to Morocco.
