CHAN Qualifiers: Advantage Nigeria as Eagles hold Ghana In Accra

The Nigeria/Ghana final qualifying fixture for next year’s African Nations Championship race is still delicately hanging in the balance after a goalless draw in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Ghana’s Black Galaxies dominated the first period with a number of opportunities but found the Super Eagles’ rearguard, led by Captain Nduka Junior, formidable.

Stephen Amankwoo found a gap in the Eagles’ defense in the 15th minute and saw his rising shot sail inches wide of Henry Ozoemena’s goalpost.

The free kick taken by Sikiru Alimi one minute before the first half was also missed by the referee and the match turned into a conflict between regional powers.

This goalless affair was Nigeria’s best away result against Ghana in an African Nations Championship qualifying match; The Eagles lost 2-3 to the home team in 2008 and then scored twice in 2022.

Both teams are eagerly awaiting the second leg of the fixture which will be played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. The winner will represent WAFU B in the biennial championship reserved exclusively for professional footballers in their country’s domestic leagues. .

The eighth African Nations Championship will be held between 1-28 February 2025, hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.