Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has called up 24 players for the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier against the Ivory Coast. Seven members of the Nigeria squad to the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup were selected. The squad is comprised of two goalkeepers, eight defenders, five midfielders and nine strikers. Enugu Rangers defender, Chibuzor Okonkwo who was part of the Nigeria Under-23 side that finished in second place at the football event of the 2008 Olympic games was also called up to the squad. Bayelsa United winger, Gomo Onduku who was also called up and he voiced his delight at the development. “I am very happy at this news and I will always give my best to defend the colours of my country. I thank the coach for showing faith in me,” Onduku told supersport.com on Tuesday. Keshi had earlier hinted that the Eagles will be approaching the game with seriously while he fielded questions in Fortaleza, Brazil following Nigeria’s ouster from the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup. “We would go back home take a few days rest and prepare for our CHAN qualifiers against Ivory Coast in the coming days and hopefully we should be able to make it through,” he said. The game against the Ivory Coast will be played on Saturday, July 6 in Kaduna. The African Nations Championship is a football tournament which was first announced on September 11, 2007. It is played between the best national teams of Africa, exclusively featuring players who are active in the national championships and qualified to play in the ongoing season. Expatriate players, regardless of where they play, even in Africa, may not qualify to take part in the competition. The squad Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland) Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers) Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Rangers); Ayo Saka (Enyimba); Olufemi Oladapo (3SC); Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United) Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland); Gomo Onduku (Bayelsa United); Ifeanyi Ede (Enyimba); Anthony Okputu (Lobi); Pius Samson (Ranch Bees); Festus Ajah (Union Bank); Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves); Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars) © supersport.com