Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles ended their six-year African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualification drought with a resounding 3-1 win over arch-rivals Ghana at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, securing their place in the 2025 tournament.
The match came after a goalless draw in the first leg in Accra, but the Eagles B showed their mettle in a dazzling first-half performance. Remo Stars’ Sodiq Ismail and Nduka Junior gave the hosts a 2-0 lead within the first 22 minutes, before Rangers’ Kazeem Ogunleye extended the advantage to 3-0 in the 25th minute.
The victory was particularly sweet, as it came against Ghana, who had previously denied Nigeria qualification in 2008 and 2022. The Black Galaxies had also been unbeaten in six previous CHAN encounters with the Eagles B.
Ghana’s coach Didi Dramani had predicted his side would score in Uyo, but his forecast was only realized through a 73rd-minute consolation goal by Stephen Amankuna. However, Nigeria maintained their composure and held on to seal qualification for the 2025 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania from February 1-25.
Stand-in coach Daniel Ogunmodede, who worked alongside Fidelis Ilechukwu to prepare the 23-man squad drawn from the Nigeria Premier Football League, was elated with the historic achievement.
“This qualification is monumental. It offers a platform to showcase local talent, raise the profile of the domestic league, and inspire the next generation of footballers,” Ogunmodede said before the match.
The Super Eagles B will now aim to improve upon their previous CHAN performances, having finished third in 2014 and reached the final in 2018, where they lost to hosts Morocco.
The team’s commanding victory, officiated by Moroccan referee Hamza El Fariq, marks a significant turnaround in their fortunes, having previously lost two and drawn three of their six encounters with Ghana in the tournament.
With the 2025 CHAN on the horizon, Nigeria’s home-based players are primed for a strong showing as they look to build on this monumental qualification.
