The CHAN Eagles were today simply super as they booked their flight to the 2024 CHAN at the expense of arch-rivals Ghana.
All the 3 goals by Super Eagles B. pic.twitter.com/eeHpo9aJBF
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) December 28, 2024
The home-based Eagles were convincing 3-1 winners over the Black Galaxies in Uyo to go through 3-1 on aggregate after both teams played out a goalless draw in Accra Sunday.
It was a most fitting way to put to rest the disappointment Ghana caused Nigeria when they eliminated the same team to qualify for the 2009 and 2022 CHANs.
The delayed 2024 CHAN will be played from February 1 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Remo Stars fullback Sodiq Ismail opened scoring in the 19th minute, when he beat the offside trap by Ghana.
Three minutes later, captain Nduka Junior also from Remo Stars doubled the lead when he fired a loose ball from inside the box.
Enugu Rangers Midfielder Isaac Saviour stole the ball off a Ghana defender before he rounded up the goalkeeper for the third goal shortly after.
Ghana pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute through Amankona Stephen but the damage had already been done in the first 45 minutes.
Striker Sikiru Alimi was denied a goal by the Ghana goalkeeper, who dived full length to push for corner his powerful header off a cross.
In the closing minutes, veteran Kano Pillars midfielder Rabiu Ali saw action when he came off the bench at the ripe old age of 44.
CHAN Eagles Starting XI (4-3-3) Henry Ozoemena – Sodiq Ismaila, Junior Nduka (Captain), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Imo Obot – Zayyad Musa (Manyo 70), Jide Fatokun, Saviour Isaac – Sadiq Abubakar, Sikiru Alimi (Ogbole 70), Papa Daniel (Ogunleye 70).
Bench: Kayode Bankole, Stephen Manyo, Ojetoye Waliu, Kazeem Ogunleye, Samuel Ayanrinde, Emmanuel Ogbole, Rabiu Ali, Victor Collins, Anas Yusuf
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.