Nigeria 3-1 Ghana (Aggregate: 3-1)
The Super Eagles B team delivered an electrifying performance at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, defeating the Black Galaxies of Ghana 3-1 to book their place in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN). This marks Nigeria’s return to the tournament after missing the last two editions in 2020 and 2022.
The first half was a show of dominance by the Eagles, who netted three goals in quick succession. Remo Stars full-back Sodiq Ismail opened the scoring in the 18th minute, calmly converting a long ball from Captain Nduka Junior after beating the offside trap set for him. Just three minutes later, Nduka Junior doubled the lead with a stunning strike inside the box, earning roars of approval from the home crowd. Saviour Isaac sealed the half with a clinical finish in the 25th minute, leaving Ghana reeling at 3-0 before halftime.
Although Ghana managed a consolation goal in the 73rd minute through Stephen Amankuna, it was too little, too late to overcome the deficit.
This victory secured Nigeria’s qualification for CHAN, a tournament exclusively for players competing in their domestic leagues. It will be held across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in February 2025. Nigeria last participated in the CHAN competition in 2018, where they finished as runners-up.
Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu, managing the Super Eagles B in their debut outing, have already made history by guiding the team back to CHAN in style. Their preparation, meticulous planning, and tactical acumen were evident as the team dominated their Ghanaian counterparts.
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Speaking after the match, Ogunmodede expressed his delight at the team’s success, attributing it to their early and comprehensive preparation.
“I am so excited we were able to give the country something to be happy about,” he said. “The boys showed a lot of character in the game. We had early preparation for the qualifiers, with three phases of camp. The last phase started about four weeks ago, and training at the fantastic Remo Stars facility played a big role in our success. I hope we can prepare this way for the CHAN proper.”
Ogunmodede also hinted at potential changes to the squad as they prepare for the tournament, emphasizing performance and hard work as key criteria for selection.
“We will review the matches, identify our weaknesses, and address them,” he added. “If there’s a need for more players, we will bring them in. Selection will be based on club performance, and we’ll reward dedication.”
With Nigeria’s return to CHAN secured, the focus now shifts to preparing for the tournament itself. The Super Eagles B have set a high standard with their commanding win over Ghana and will aim to make a strong impression on the continental stage in 2025.
