5 hours ago
4 ARTICLE AD
The race to the eighth African Nations Championship between Nigeria and Ghana is still delicately poised, following the goalless draw in the first leg of their qualifying match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Ghana’s Black Galaxies dominated the first period with a string of opportunities, but they found the Super Eagles’ rearguard marshalled by Captain Nduka Junior impenetrable.
Stephen Amankwoo found a leeway through the Eagles’ defence in the 15th minute only to see his rising shot go inches wide of Henry Ozoemena’s goal-post.
Sikiru Alimi’s free-kick, with a minute to half time, also went over the sticks as the game became a ding-dong affair between the regional powerhouses.
The goalless affair is the best result Nigeria have earned against Ghana away in any qualifying contest for the CHAN, with the Eagles losing 2-3 to their hosts in 2008 and then getting spanked by two goals in 2022.
Both teams now look forward to the second leg of the fixture, set for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, with the winner on aggregate to represent WAFU B at the biennial championship reserved exclusively for professional footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic leagues.
To advance to the tournament, Nigeria must beat Ghana in open play during the second leg. They must avoid a score draw to give the Ghanaians the edge while another goalless draw will send the game into extra time and potentially penalty shootouts.
The eighth instalment of the African Nations Championship will be hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, from February 1-28, 2025.
The home-based Eagles under the guidance of stand-in head coach Daniel Ogunmodede and his Rangers International counterpart Fidelis Ilechukwu, have the task of reaching the CHAN tournament for the first time in six years.
Nigeria has never won the tournament, having finished third at the 2014 edition in South Africa before losing the final against hosts Morocco four years later.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
