Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles have qualified for the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), after defeating Black Galaxies of Ghana 3-1 in the second leg of the qualifiers inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.
After holding the Black Galaxies to a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Accra, the home-based Eagles needed an outright win in the reverse fixture to secure the ticket.
The players made their intentions known from the blast of the whistle with a dominant first half display, as they raced to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Sadiq Ismail, captain Nduka Junior and Saviour Isaac.
The Black Galaxies pulled a goal back with less than 20 minutes left but the Nigerian team held on to qualify.
The last time both teams met in the CHAN qualifiers was for the 2022 edition which Ghana won on penalties after the first amd second legs ended 2-2 on aggregate.
Ismail opened the scoring in the 18th minute after running on to a long pass from the back before slotting past the keeper.
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In the 21st minute Junior made it 2-0, slamming his effort into the roof of the net as the Black Galaxies defence failed to clear their lines properly from a corner.
Three minutes later after the second goal went in Black Galaxies almost reduced the deficit after they were awarded a free kick not too far from the home-based Eagles box.
Fortunately Ani Ozoemena made a goal line save on the touchline to keep the scoreline at 2-0.
In the 25th minute the home-based Eagles got their third goal thanks to Isaac.
Issac pounced on a poor pass from the Ghanaian keeper to his defender, rounded the keeper and slotted into an empty net
With five minutes left Isaac ran on to a long cross but his attempt pass was blocked for a corner.
On 45 minutes Sikiru Alimi had a glorious chance to add the fourth goal as he was played through on goal but the retreating Black Galaxies defenders blocked his shot.
Ghanaians came out strong in the second half but it was the home-based Eagles who almost added the fourth goal on 55 minutes but Alimi’s header was stopped by the keeper.
The Black Galaxies pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute through Stephen Amankona.
However, all efforts by the Black Galaxies to get back into the game was futile as the home-based Eagles kept them at bay to pick the ticket.
The home-based Eagles’ last appeared at the CHAN in 2018 where they reached the final before losing 4-0 to hosts Morocco.
The 2024 edition will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 1 to 28 February 2025. This will be the first edition to be hosted by three countries.
By Sab Osuji, in Uyo
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11 Comments
Gana is puor. I new dey wuld foll laike a pak of cards. Weldon Supa Ingles. Wi are fa beta Dan blak stas. Tu bad 4 Gana.
Dude, na pidgin be dis? Or are you from Jamaica ?
Nigerian football fans, rejoice! The Super Eagles B team has soared to the CHAN 2024 in East Africa, dispatching arch-rivals Ghana with an emphatic 3-1 victory in the final leg of the qualifiers. And let’s be honest, any victory over Ghana is sweet, but when it’s by this margin and in such a tactical masterclass, it’s even sweeter. It felt like a cathartic revenge for the World Cup heartbreak we suffered at their hands last year.
Now, let’s talk about the stars of the show: Nduka, Alimi, Sodiq, and Papa—absolute standouts! These lads were fire, but credit where it’s due: the brilliance of the technical crew was on full display. Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu deserve a standing ovation for how they orchestrated this win. It was like watching two master chefs in the kitchen, whipping up a recipe so good it left the Ghanaian defense in shambles. Ogunmodede’s signature 3-5-2 was the perfect formation to shore up the team in the second half, ensuring the lead was preserved, while Fidelis’ 4-3-3 gave us that offensive edge in the first half. The synergy between these two coaches reminded me of the legendary Lagerbäck-Söderberg Swedish dual-coaching experiment from the early 2000s.
And let’s not forget—these two aren’t just random picks. They’re currently the toast of the NPFL, with their clubs performing at the very top of the table. Their understanding of tactics and each other’s strengths gave us an edge that’s been missing in previous CHAN qualification campaigns. It’s no coincidence that unity and competence have brought us our first CHAN ticket since 2018.
Kudos to the NFF for finally getting it right. This wasn’t a slapdash job where bribe-laden coaches like Salisu Yusuf were given the reins. This time, there was purpose, structure, and seriousness. You could feel it in how the team played. This victory wasn’t just about talent; it was about vision and execution.
And let’s talk about the bragging rights—beating Ghana 3-1 at any level is monumental. It’s the kind of scoreline that echoes, especially when it’s achieved with flair and precision. Revenge might be a dish best served cold, but this one came hot and spicy!
Now, it’s on to CHAN 2025. The Home Eagles are flying high, and with this level of preparation and tactical prowess, we can dream big. Here’s to hoping Ogunmodede and Fidelis bring more of this magic to East Africa. The future of Nigerian football is looking bright again, and I, for one, am loving every moment.
WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT, I WILL ADVICE NFF TO ALLOW OGUNMODEDE & FIDELIS TO HANDLE U-23 & U-20 TEAM. BECAUSE THESE ARE THE COACHES THAT HAVE PROVED THEMSELVES IN LOCAL LEAGUE, KNOWN & FAMILIAR WITH LOCAL PLAYERS THAT MERIT INVITATION.
CHAN TEAM, U-20 TEAM & U-23 TEAM ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE GROWTH OF SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM.
QUALIFY FOR COMPETITION LIKE CHAN, ALL AFRICAN GAME, OLYMPIC GAME, U-20 AFCON, U-20 WORLD CUP WILL CREATE MORE AVENUE TO DETECT GOOD PLAYERS FOR SUPER EAGLE. JUST LIKE THE WAY ADEPOJU, UGBADE, AGHAHOWA, YOBO, MIKEL, TAYE-TAIWO, OBASI, KAITA, APAM, NSOFOR, EFE, BABAYARO, KANU, ORUMA, DOSU, OPARAKWU, TARIBO, BABANGIDA, AIYEGBENI, AGALI, ETEBO, STANKEY- UZOENYI SHEHU-ABUBAKAR WERE ALL DETECTED FROM U-20 TEAM, U-23 TEAM & CHAN TEAM.
Now that eguavon had qualified us for afcon and Chan. What does CS critics have to say. Maybe they will sad that it’s not rohr that qualifed is for the chan tournament. (Laugh)
Congratulations eguavon and Chan eagles
Which Eguavoen? Dey play o. Ogunmodede and Ilechukwu did all the job.
It should congratulations to Ogunmodede, Ilechukwu and the CHAN Eagles.
Reports had it that Eguaveon was away for treatment when the first leg was played, and I didn’t see him on the bench when we won the second leg. So tell me, how did he qualify us for CHAN 2025? Nawa o
Ogunmodede and Ilechukwu are very good coaches.Just my take.They are the future of Nigeria
The coaches were honest with invitation of players and the best amongst the rest was picked to execute these games ,you can see the quality displayed by the team a testament the very best of our league was on parade,no Godfather players no nepotism or sectional selection of players..When a country chose meritocracy to run it’s affairs you start seeing positive changes in politics, governance,presidential election and its subsidiaries, sports ect..No country thrives if its not merit driven..
So true @Greenturf
U r rite @Grintof.