Super Eagles of Nigeria

By Taiwo Adelu.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles (Team B) have been grouped alongside Tunisia, Niger and Guinea in next year’s Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN) Rwanda 2016.

The Eagles who are in Group C will play their matches at the Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali. Tunisia won the 2011 of the competition, while Guinea are debuting in the 2016 edition.

In the draws held Sunday by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, the hosts, Rwanda are drawn in Group A alongside Gabon, Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire for the fourth edition of the tournament designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues.

Winners of the maiden edition in 2009, DR Congo are housed in Group B with 2011 losing finalists Angola, Cameroon and Ethiopia.

Zimbabwe, one of two teams to have competed at every edition of the CHAN since its birth in 2009 are in Group D with Mali, Uganda and Zambia.

The draw was held on Sunday at the plush Serena Hotel in Kigali, with CAF Secretary General Hicham El Amrani conducting the draw with the assistance of Rwanda captain Haruna Niyonzima and head coach of the Rwanda women’s national team Marie Grace Umuntu.

Rwanda President Paul Kagame chaired the function, whilst CAF 2nd Vice President Almamy Kabele Camara led the delegation from the continent’s soccer governing body.

Kabele Camara is also president of the Organising Committee of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). The final tournament of the Orange CHAN 2016 will take place from 16 January to 7 February 2016 in Rwanda. Group A will be based at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Group B in Butare with Gisenyi hosting Group D.

The draws at a glance

A – Rwanda, Gabon, Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire

B – DR Congo, Angola. Cameroon, Ethiopia

C – Tunisia, Nigeria Niger, Guinea

D – Zimbabwe, Mali, Uganda, Zambia