Nigeria will hope to get
off to a winning start in the 2016 CHAN against next-door neigbours Niger on Monday.
Kick-off time is 5pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh said it was crucial to start the 2016 CHAN on a winning note.
“We have a very good team to do well, but we pray for a good start in the tournament,” said Oliseh, who faces his first major championship since he was appointed the country’s coach in July 2015.
Christopher Madaki and goalkeeper Femi Thomas said they are seeking victory in the opening game in Rwanda.
“It’s victory we are going for against Niger Republic. Opening games are important in competitions and we are looking forward to start the CHAN on a winning note,” said Giwa FC defender Madaki.
Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas said he believes a two-week training camp in Pretoria, South Africa, has been worth it and this will be evident against the Mena of Niger.
“Our camping in South Africa helped us, it brought us together as a team. We are like a family in camp with high spirit. Victory is our target,” Thomas said.
Nigeria will be buoyed leading up to Monday’s game after they defeated the same team 2-0 in a friendly in Port Harcourt in September.
Skipper Ahmed Musa gave the Eagles an 11th minute lead from the penalty spot, before Moses Simon doubled the advantage five minutes from time.
It was a very physical game with Niger most uncompromising in the tackles. It could be a repeat on Monday in Kigali.
Ghanaian-born Kofi Dan Kowa will be one of the most experienced players for Niger today having being an international since 2008. He featured at both the 2012 and 2013 AFCONs for his adopted country.
He has posted foreign stints in Tunisia, South Africa and most recently India.
The daring central defender could also play as a defensive midfielder and scored in both legs of the qualifiers against Togo.
Both West African countries are featuring for the second time in this competition.
Niger made their debut at the 2011 tournament in Sudan and reached the quarterfinals, where they lost on penalties to the hosts.
As it were, Niger stopped Nigeria from the 2011 competition after they overcame coach Daniel Amokachi’s team in Kano.
Nigeria first played at the CHAN two years ago in South Africa, where they finished third.
Niger eliminated Togo to qualify for Rwanda 2016, while Nigeria saw off Burkina Faso.

Chairman, South-South, SWAN and Chairman, Main Organising Committee (MOC), Go Round/SWAN Secondary School Athletics Championship, Mr Honour Sirawoo (middle|), Chairman, Publicity and Sub-Committee, Mr Gabriel Nwanetanya (right), and Mr Giga James, member of the MOC, during a press briefing at Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt, recently.