Nigeria’s football revival: Aiming for CHAN 2024 glory

CHAN is a biennial football tournament contested by 16 qualified African national teams which composed exclusively of players who play in their countries’ national leagues. CHAN is a biennial African Association football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 2009 and was first announced  in September 2007 for participation.

Nigerian Home Based Eagles defeat to Ghana 3-1 over the two leg match concluded in December 2024 has grouped them among the qualified countries that will compete in Kenya in August 2025. A new coach Eric Chelle  that is considered credible to bring the gold medal to the country after the championship was unveiled by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko, on January 13, 2025, in agreement with the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau. The 18 countries that qualified for CHAN tournament this year include Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritius, Niger, DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Rwanda, Zambia, Angola, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya the host country.

However, the victorious joy after the match between Nigeria and Ghana which qualified the country for the major championship slated to begin in February is assuring that there is now head way to success in the Nigerian Football League more so as the chairman of the NSC has not only commended the boys for their qualification but also appreciated their efforts with monetary rewards of N10 million.

Nigeria’s Eagles qualification is revitalised after six years of being out of place and their determination to take back their lost position in football gives the assurance as the President of the NFF agrees that the determination seen in the display of the players against Ghanaians will bring back the lost interest of football fans as well as motivate them to support the efforts of football governing body who look forward to preparing the various national teams that have qualified for the CHAN tournament. 

During the official visit of the chairman of the NSC to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last year, he did not mince words when he bluntly informed Nigerians that the era of Nigeria’s desire to just participate in events and give back to the government laurel of failed stories is gone.

Shehu Dikko assured both President Tinubu and Nigerians that with the huge amount of funds made available to him to effect positive change in the sports sector as well as motivate the youths and prioritise their welfare, he will positively change the ugly narrative of the game of football. 

Dikko in unionism with football fans knows that sporting activities are vitamins that support the reduction of cholesterol in the blood streams, thus, the reason he played an exemplary role of being a captain during a welcome  entertainment friendly match organised for him by his fans last year at the M. K. O. Abiola National Stadium Abuja.

Shehu Dikko has started setting the pace which is visibly seen in his appreciation of the home based boys that will represent the country in Kenya. Meanwhile, the N10 million which has since been handed over to the players is an assurance that all entitlements due to them during and after the championship will be delivered as deserved. Nigerians no doubt look forward to our players playing significant matches that will distinguish them to be the winners at the end of the tournament. While our players will be away in Kenya challenging their counterparts, Nigerians with their unifying togetherness in football will support them from our home soil.   

The NSC chairman is widely known as a motivator that goes all out to make a difference. Thus, his involvement in practical participations have gingered people to give back to him, most importantly, with visible projects that will move the presidency to stand by him. 

Although there are other sporting federations where talents are also differentiated, but football maintains its title as the king of sports that affects the lives of both the young and aged. The home based Eagles have immediately commenced training to enable them meet the expectations of Nigerians. Alhaji Dikko assures Nigerians that before March 2025, football would have taken its proper shape as he will intensify efforts to select professionals that will also draw workable plans that will help reactivate other federations to enable them actualise their mandates.

He has, however, effected changes in the leadership of over 40 federation’s to allow growth in the system. 2025 is expected to be a busy year for league events with regards to President Tinubu’s approval of N78 billion budget for the year to enhance the chairman’s assigned mandate to place Nigerian sports to equate world standard. Shehu Dikko has developed himself to be a sports technocrat with political experiences.

He is desirous of being outstanding and to make a name like Elon Musk, the late Jimmy Carter and distinguished in the world.

He is very supportive and should be supported for everybody’s success in the sporting arena

Felly Mammah N. is a press officer at the National Sports Commission