The Super Eagles’ hopes for a triumphant outing at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) have been dealt another major blow following the departure of standout home-based defender “Waliu Ojetoye” to Europe.
Ojetoye, the captain of “Ikorodu City FC”, has sealed a season-long loan move to Israeli Premier League side “Hapoel Jerusalem”, with an option to make the deal permanent. The announcement was confirmed by club official “OgaNla” on social media.
This move automatically rules the highly-rated right-back out of contention for CHAN 2024, a tournament strictly reserved for players active in their respective domestic leagues.
As such, Ojetoye is no longer eligible, disrupting Nigeria’s tactical preparation and reducing defensive depth for the competition.
A Big Loss for Eric Chelle and the CHAN Eagles
Head coach “Eric Chelle”, who is currently drilling the home-based squad at Ikenne, Ogun State, must now revise his plans following the exit of one of his most reliable defenders.
Ojetoye played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s CHAN qualification campaign and was also part of the team that represented the country at the “Unity Cup in London”, vying for the right-back position against “Ismail Sodiq” of Remo Stars.
Known for his energy, leadership, and offensive thrust, the 22-year-old impressed in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season, recording 1 goal and 10 assists, and helping Ikorodu City to a surprise fourth-place finish.
With his departure, Nigeria’s dream of clinching its first-ever CHAN title becomes more complicated. For Coach Chelle, the challenge now lies in quickly identifying a reliable replacement and maintaining momentum amid growing instability in the squad.
As Waliu Ojetoye embarks on a new chapter in Israeli football, fans will watch closely, hoping his individual progress doesn’t come at the cost of Nigeria’s collective CHAN ambition.
