By

Felly Mammah

CHAN in football 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 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 last 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 winning Gold medal to the country after the championship was unveiled by the Chairman of the Sports Commission Alj. Shehu Dikko on the 13th of January 2025 in agreement with the President of the Nigeria Football Federation Alj. Ibrahim Gusau. The 18 countries that qualified for CHAN tournament this year include Morrocco, 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 Sports Commission  Alh. Shehu Dikko has not only commended the boys for their qualification but he has also, appreciated their efforts with monetary rewards of N10m naira.

Nigeria’s Eagles qualification is revitalized after six years of being out of place and their determination to take back their lost position in football gives a hopeful assurance as the President of the Nigeria Football  Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau agrees that the determination seen in the display of the players against Ghanians  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 Sports Commission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last year, he did not mix words when he bluntly informed nigerians that the era of Nigeria desire to just participate in events and give back to the government laurel of  failed stories is gone.

Shehu Dikko assured both the President and Nigerians that with the huge amount of funds made available to him to effect positive changes in sports sector as well as motivate the youths and make priority their welfare, will definitely change the game of football under his watch. 

Alh. Dikko in uninionism with football fans knows that sporting activities are vitamins that support the reduction of colestral in the blood stream thus, the reason he played an exemplary roll of being a captain during  a welcome  entertainment friendly match organised for him by his fans last year at the Abiola National Stadium Abuja.

 Shehu Dikko has started setting the paste rolling which is visibly seen in his appreciation of the home based boys that will represent the country in Kenya. Meanwhile, the N10m naira which have since been handed over to the players is an assurance that all entitlements due to them during and after the champioship will be delivered to them as deserved. Nigerians no doubt look forward to our players playing significant matches that will distinguish them to be the winner at the end of the tournament. While our players will be away in Kenya challenging their counter parts, Nigerians with their unifying togetherness in football will support them from our home soil.   

The Chairman, Shehu Dikko is widely known as a motivator that goes all out to make a difference. Thus his involvement in practical participations that ginger 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 king of sports that affects the lives of both the young and aged. The home based Eagles have immediately commenced training to enable them fulfill the expectations of Nigerians. Alh. 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 Bola Tinubu’s intervention approval of N78 Billion naira  budget for the year to enhance the Chairman’s assigned mandate to place Nigeria sports to equate world standard. Shehu Dikko has developed himself to be a sports technocrate with political experiences.
He is desirous of being out standing  and to make a name  like Elon Musk, late Jimmy Carter and distinguished in the world.
He is very supportive and should be supported for everyody's success in sporting arena.

 

(Felly Mammah N. is the Press Officer  of the National Sports Commission)