The first leg of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier between Ghana and Nigeria ended in a goalless draw at the Accra Sports Stadium, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg in Uyo. Ghana, playing at home, dominated the early exchanges and created several scoring opportunities but were unable to breach the Nigerian defense, marshalled by captain Nduka Junior. Despite the Ghanaian pressure, the Super Eagles remained resilient and organized, thwarting the Black Galaxies’ attempts to find the back of the net. The first half saw near misses for both sides, with Stephen Amankwoo’s shot going just wide for Ghana and Sikiru Alimi’s free-kick sailing over the bar for Nigeria, highlighting the tense and competitive nature of the encounter.
This stalemate represents a positive result for Nigeria in their away fixtures against Ghana in CHAN qualifiers. In previous encounters, the Eagles had suffered defeats, losing 2-3 in 2008 and 2-0 in 2022. The goalless draw provides a foundation for the Super Eagles to build upon in the return leg, knowing that a victory at home will secure their place in the tournament. Meanwhile, Ghana will be looking to capitalize on their strong first-leg performance and aim to break the deadlock in Uyo.
The second leg, scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, holds immense significance for both teams. The winner of this encounter will represent the West African Football Union Zone B (WAFU B) at the eighth edition of the CHAN tournament, a competition exclusively for players who compete in their respective domestic leagues. For Nigeria, the stakes are even higher, as they aim to qualify for the CHAN tournament for the first time in six years. The home advantage will undoubtedly boost their confidence, but they will need to convert their opportunities into goals to ensure their progress.
Nigeria faces a clear objective in the second leg: to defeat Ghana in open play. A score draw would favor the Ghanaians due to the away goals rule, while another goalless draw would lead to extra time and potentially a penalty shootout. The Super Eagles, under the guidance of interim head coach Daniel Ogunmodede and his Rangers International counterpart Fidelis Ilechukwu, are determined to end their six-year absence from the CHAN tournament. Their focus will be on executing a tactical game plan that exploits Ghana’s weaknesses while maintaining defensive solidity.
The 2025 African Nations Championship, scheduled to take place from February 1st to 28th, will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. This tournament provides a platform for home-based players to showcase their talent and compete on the continental stage. For Nigeria, reaching the CHAN finals represents an opportunity to build on their past achievements in the competition. They finished third in the 2014 edition held in South Africa and were runners-up in 2018, losing to hosts Morocco in the final.
Nigeria’s quest to return to the CHAN tournament and potentially claim their first title hinges on the outcome of the second leg against Ghana. The goalless draw in the first leg has set the stage for a decisive encounter in Uyo. The Super Eagles will need to display their attacking prowess while maintaining their defensive discipline to secure victory and book their place in the 2025 CHAN finals. The pressure is on the home team to deliver a performance that will not only secure their qualification but also rekindle their hopes of lifting the CHAN trophy for the first time. The second leg promises to be a thrilling encounter with the fate of both nations hanging in the balance.
