SUPER EAGLES AIMS FOR VICTORY AT CHAN

Debutants Nigeria appear to be the strongest of the 16 contenders for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) which kicks off in Cape Town on Saturday.

Although ranked only third in Group A because they failed to qualify for two previous editions of a competition for home-based footballers, they should advance with hosts South Africa.
Nigeria are seeking a second African national team title in South Africa within 13 months, having won the more prestigious Africa Cup of Nations in February last year.
The architect of that success, coach and former national team captain Stephen Keshi, is back with four of his 2013 Confederations Cup squad.

Goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim and defenders Francis Benjamin, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Solomon Kwambe went to Brazil, and striker Ejike Uzoenyi was part of the Nations Cup-winning squad.

Another goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu, helped the national junior team defeat Mexico last October to capture the world title in the United Arab Emirates.
But fellow gold medallist, striker Kelechi Iheanacho, was omitted after leaving the training camp for unsuccessful trials with English Premier League giants Manchester City.
Midfielder Sunday Mba, match-winner in the 1-0 African Cup of nations triumph against Burkina Faso is another absentee having recently joined French club Ajaccio.
Expectations of another trophy remain high in the most populous African country, though, which concerns Keshi given he had little time to create his squad.
"It is not possible to build a team for a major championship in three weeks - not even Fabio Capello or Arsene Wenger can do that," he told reporters.
"However, I know the boys are physically and mentally prepared for what lies ahead and are ready to make Nigerians proud."