Uzoenyi, Ali, Odunlami make CHAN XI

The Nigerian trio of Rabiu Ali, Kunle Odunlami and Ejike Uzoenyi have been named in the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) XI.
In spite of falling to Ghana’s Black Stars in the semifinals through penalty shootout, the three Nigerian players must have impressed the CAF technical committee to be selected among the CHAN XI.
Enugu Rangers winger, Uzoenyi, was clearly the man of the tournament after putting up eye-catching performance in South Africa especially orchestrating Nigeria’s comeback from 0 – 3 against Morocco to win 4 – 3 in the quarterfinals.
Uzoenyi was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and deservedly made the CHAN XI.
Odunlami was the steadying influence in a Nigerian defence that shipped in eight goals. But the Sunshine Stars man was a standout in the heart of the Super Eagles defence.
On the other hand, Ali was the spine of Nigeria’s midfield and linked well with the forwards.
“I’m grateful to be named among the best players at the CHAN. This is encouraging for my career and now I’m going back to focus on helping Kano Pillars in the CAF Champions League (against AS Vita),” said Ali.
2014 CHAN XI:
Mohamed Abdaula (Libya); Ali Salama (Libya), Partson Jaure (Zimbabwe), Kunle Odunlami (Nigeria), Joshua Tijani (Ghana); Kudakwashe Mahachi (Zimbabwe), Mohamed Elgadi (Libya), Jordan Opoku (Ghana), Ejike Uzoenyi (Nigeria); Rabiu Ali (Nigeria), Seidu Bansey (Ghana)
Substitutes: Stephen Adams (Ghana), Peter Moyo (Zimbabwe), Buhlebuyesa Mkhwanazi (South Africa), Mohsine Moutaouali (Morocco), Yahaya Mohammed (Ghana), Abdelsalam Omar (Libya), Ibourahima Sidibé (Mali), Hardy Binguila (Congo), Jean-Marc Makusu Mundele (DR Congo), Erwin Nguema (Gabon), Samuel Ainooson (Ghana).