It’s an exciting moment for Nigerian football as the home-based Super Eagles look to end a six-year absence from the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
A talented group of home-based players will face off against their long-standing rivals, Ghana, in the second leg of the qualifiers for the 2024 CHAN in Uyo at 5 p.m. later today, December 28.
The forthcoming eighth CHAN tournament is set to take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1-28, 2025. Both Nigeria and Ghana are engaged in a thrilling contest for a spot in this prestigious event.
The first leg in Accra concluded in a goalless draw last Sunday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. While securing a draw away from home was commendable, the Super Eagles B face a crucial challenge to win this match to ensure their progress to the tournament for the first time since 2018.
The historic rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana only adds to the stakes, with Ghana having previously thwarted Nigeria’s qualification efforts in 2008 and 2022.
In a positive development, Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede will take the helm for this important encounter. Collaborating with Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, they have meticulously prepared a strong 23-player squad from the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Ogunmodede emphasized the significance of this opportunity, stating, “It would be monumental. It offers a platform to showcase local talent, raise the profile of the domestic league, and inspire the next generation of footballers,” underlining the broader implications of qualification for Nigerian football.
Although Nigeria has not yet clinched the tournament title, they have shown promise, finishing third in the 2014 edition in South Africa and reaching the final against Morocco four years later.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the Ghanaian team arrived safely in Port Harcourt via a chartered flight and has since travelled to Uyo after completing their immigration procedures.
Ghana are also focused on their aim to qualify for the second consecutive tournament, an achievement they would celebrate for the third time in their history. Their final training session took place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, with 26 players eagerly preparing for the match.
While the first leg’s outcome may not have been ideal, Ghana coach Didi Dramani and his team remain optimistic as they seek to secure their place in the forthcoming tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania next year.
