Assistant head coach of the home-based Super Eagles Imama Amapakabo has disclosed that the form and pedigree of players in the Abuja camp of the side will be considered in the selection of Nigeria’s final squad to the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.

Head coach Salisu Yusuf is expected to name the team’s 23-man squad for the tournament before deadline on 3 January – a day the CHAN Eagles are scheduled to depart for Rabat, Morocco for continuation of their preparation for the tournament exclusive to locally-based players.

“You (the players) have to show us right now that you have it,” Amapakabo, told www.busybuddiesng.com in an exclusive chat.

“There are some of them that have pedigree that if they had travelled before now, they wouldn’t have made a mark. But we’ve been in camp and they have been able to up their fitness.

“It is beginning to show; camp goal will come in but most importantly, I think we are building a team that will make Nigeria proud.”

With the CHAN tournament used to rate African teams in the FIFA rankings, the El Kanemi Warriors coach is hoping that the right players will be selected to do the country proud in Morocco.

“Most importantly, let’s not forget also; that this competition will be used in the FIFA rankings,” he said.

“We need to do everything possible….we are actually looking out for who can fit the bill.”

Nigeria are yet to win the CHAN after two previous appearances (in 2014 and 2016) and will kickoff their campaign against Rwanda on 15 January in Tangier before facing 2014 Champions, Libya and Equatorial Guinea in Group C.