The star keeper of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets team made the cut for Nigeria’s national CHAN team this year after impressing scouts and coaches at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October. He was selected Best Goalkeeper after Nigeria’s fourth title after giving up just five goals in the entire tournament. Should he get the chance to demonstrate his skill in the CHAN, he is sure to deliver a strong performance.
Though he just missed out on an opportunity to play for South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs football club, Sonito was a shoo-in for the Mozambique team to play in the 2014 CHAN. Last season, the striker finished as the top goalscorer of the Mozambican league and hopes to continue his high numbers in the upcoming tournament.
Captain and star defender of Zimbabwe’s Dynamos team, Patson Jaure is also posed to lead the national team to success in the 2014 CHAN. Despite trouble earlier this season – he served a seven-game ban and paid a heavy fine after reacting violently to a red card — he has publicly praised his squad and is confident that Zimbabwe’s third appearance in the CHAN will be a good one.
Midfielder Samson Mbingui has helped lead Gabon’s Mangasport club team, as well as Gabon’s national team since the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He helped spur the Gabon team through the qualifiers against Cameroon with the only goal of the match, and hopes to do the same once the tournament begins in earnest.
Key goalkeeper and captain for Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca’s club, Lamyaghri has been a part of the country’s national team since the 2004 Summer Olympics. His immense experience and leadership ability will be integral for the Moroccan squad, and his incredible ability to make tough saves is always a crowd-pleaser.
Talented defender Degu Debebe has played for Ethiopia’s Saint George Football Club since 2004 and has delivered with incredible consistency. He has helped his club win six premier league titles and has played for Ethiopia’s national team since 2003. As captain of the 2014 CHAN team, he has received 44 caps — one of the most in Ethiopian history — and hopes to add to that this year.
One of Uganda’s best midfielders, Hassan Wasswa has helped to lead the country’s Kampala City Council Football Club to much success over the years, and will act as captain in the 2014 CHAN. He’s known for his excellent ball protection and stellar shooting.
Goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba plays for Congolese club Tout Puissant Mazembe and has played for the national team since 2002, appearing in 11 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches to date. He’s known for his great skill, but also his butt-bouncing goal celebration move — a move that has brought him much international attention since the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala endeared himself to all of South Africa following his first goal – and the first goal of the tournament – in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted in his home country. He’s helped lead his club to several cup wins and his nine international goals have set expectations high for the star footballer.
Key defender Kwabena Adusei shot to national fame after joining the Ghanian football club Asante Kotoko in 2012. Coach Maxwell Konadu initially invited him to the national squad for the 2013 WAFU Nations Cup and he became a fixture after helping the team to a first-place finish. He is a central part of the aggressive Ghanian defense along with defender Abeiku Ainooson.
