With five goals for the Super Eagles and eight for Kano Pillars this NPFL season, Rabiu Ali enters CHAN camp as one of Nigeria’s most in-form and experienced players.
Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali has expressed optimism about the Super Eagles Team B securing qualification for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and ultimately winning the trophy.
Ali was among 30 players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) invited to camp on Sunday, December 2, by interim coach Austin Eguavoen for Nigeria’s double-edged qualifiers against arch-rivals Ghana.
Reacting to Nigeria’s chances against the Black Stars, Ali told Punch Sports Extra, “I’m very optimistic that this year, by the special grace of God, we will deliver the qualifying ticket and also deliver the trophy for Nigeria.”
Speaking on the significance of his invitation, the veteran NPFL star added, “It’s a great honour to be invited again. For this year, I wasn’t so sure I would get a call-up because it all depends on the coaching staff, but I have been hopeful.”
Ali, who debuted for the Super Eagles in 2013, has scored five goals in 18 appearances. His eight goals for Kano Pillars so far in the 2024/25 NPFL season also make him one of the most in-form players in Nigeria’s CHAN camp.
The CHAN Eagles are camped at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, where they will train ahead of the first leg against Ghana at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, December 22.
The return leg will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday, December 28. The overall winner will automatically qualify for the 2025 CHAN, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
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