Imenger Jr. Makes History as Keshi Announces CHAN Squad.

Nanen Imenger will become the first son of an ex-Nigeria international to be named in a Super Eagles squad for any international competition after making Coach Stephen Keshi’s final 23-man party for this month’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

Keshi announced the home-based Eagles squad for the tournament on New Year’s eve as preparations enter final gear.

Injured Gambo Mohammed and Yinka Adedeji were exempted from the final list. Gambo has been nursing a hamstring injury, which has kept him away from training since the resumption of the CHAN Eagles camp in Abuja.

Like Father; Like Son: Lobi Stars Striker Nanen Imenger and Former Nigeria International Barnabas Imenger. Image Credit: Twitter @LobiStars.
Like Father; Like Son: Lobi Stars Striker Nanen Imenger and Former Nigeria International Barnabas Imenger. Image Credit: Twitter @LobiStars.

Adedeji picked up a hamstring injury during the warm-up to the friendly match against Port Harcourt-based side Gokana FC.

3SC striker, Gbolahan Salami and Ifeanyi Ede of Enyimba international are among the forwards picked for the tournament.

Golden Eaglets goalkeeper Dele Alampasu will have a first taste of the national team in South Africa after earning Keshi’s nod as third choice goalkeeper. His Eaglets teammate Taiwo Awoniyi did not make the final cut.

Nanen is the son of former Nigeria international Barnabas Imenger.

Nigeria, who will be making a debut appearance at the CHAN 2014 tournament, kicks off their campaign against Mali on January 11 at the Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town.

The Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland); Dele Alampasu (Abuja Football College)

Defenders: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Francis Benjamin (Heartland); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ikechukwu Gabriel (Bayelsa United); Umar Zango (Kanon Pillars); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Erhun Obanor (Insurance FC)

Midfielders: Ugonna Uzochukwu (Enugu Rangers); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC); Ikenna Hillary (Sunshine Stars); Abdullahi Shehu (Kano Pillars); Joshua Obaje (Warri Wolves)

Forwards: Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Gbolahan Salami (Shooting Stars SC); Barnabas Imenger Jr. (Lobi Stars); Aliyu Ibrahim (Nasarawa United); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers); Ifeanyi Ede (Enyimba)