The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mena of Niger will be chasing their first point at the on-going African Nations Championship (CHAN), when they lock horns today, January 18 at the Stade Régional Nyamirambo in Kigali, the Rwanda capital.

While Nigeria will be looking to win the tournament as one of the favourites after a third place finish in 2014, Niger will be hoping to go a step further after they were knocked out via penalty in the quarters final of 2011 edition. The Mena of Niger will also fancy their chances of picking up the trophy against all odds.

The Mena have great memories of the CHAN since their qualification to the 2011 edition which served their breakthrough in international football.

After a first time qualification to continental championship at senior level, Niger went on to qualify for AFCON 2012 and CHAN 2014, which earned them global attention.

The Mena will be hoping to build on this success and upset the Super Eagles as they did to Togo in the qualifiers.

However, Nigeria comes into the competition on the back of excellent performances by their junior teams at continental and global competitions last year. The U-20 and U-23’s were each crowned African champions in their respective continental championships in Senegal, while the U-17 were crowned World champions.

Coincidentally when these two teams clashed in build-up to this championship, Niger had the better of their counterpart as they denied Nigeria place at the 2011 edition in Sudan. Nigeria has however gone on to win four of the last five meetings.

Austin Obaroakpo is suspended with accumulated cards and will not feature in Monday’s opening group game of the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) against Niger Republic at Stade Nyamirambo, Kigali on Monday.

However, Abia Warriors defender Austin Obaroakpo has been suspended for the clash following two yellow cards in the CHAN qualifying games against Burkina Faso in Port Harcourt and Ouagadougou last year.

With the Super Eagles seeking revenge in this competition, this game promises to be a cracker and Naij.com will be bring you live coverage of the encounter by 5pm (Nigerian Time).

Nigeria Key Player To Watch: Paul Onobi

Niger Key Player To Watch: Halidou Garba

Nigeria Coach: Sunday Oliseh

Niger Coach: Francois Zahoui

Nigeria XI: Ezenwa, Akas (C), Eze, Alimi, E.Matthew, Onobi, Matthew, Ibenegbu, Aggreh, Adeniji, Okoro.

Niger XI: Alzouma, Inoussa, Amadou, Shehu, Oumarou, Garba Sakou (C), Imaran, Katkore, Salamoun, Koudize.

Source: Naij