Qualification to the 2024 CHAN is delicately poised after the CHAN Eagles and arch-rivals Ghana played out a goalless draw in Accra Sunday.
The CHAN Eagles did well to secure a result in Ghana.
They were very solid and organised in defence to frustrate the home team, who were under a lot of pressure to win on the day.
Enyimba goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena justified his selection ahead of the more experienced Kayode Bankole with a couple of big saves, while the central defensive partnership of captain Nduka Junior and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi kept out the Black Galaxies attack.
In midfield, Jide Fatokun held his own against the physicality the Ghanaians dished out, while in attack Abubakar Adamu threatened occasionally.
In the end, Ghana despite enjoying more of the ball and the half chances failed to take full advantage of playing at home.
In March 2022, the Super Eagles felt like the battle was half won when they pulled off a scoreless draw in Kumasi only for the Black Stars to draw 1-1 with them to qualify for the 2022 World Cup on the away goals’ rule.
The CHAN Eagles do not need another warning that this tie is far from even half won.
They stopped the Black Galaxies from scoring in Accra, but they will now have to score in Uyo Saturday to seal qualification to the CHAN after they missed out on the last two editions.
Who will score for CHAN Eagles?
Remo Stars striker Sikiru Alimi has been consistent in front of goal in the NPFL in the last few seasons, but he did not trouble Ghana’s two powerfully-built central defenders.
He was even a major injury doubt leading to the first leg.
Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United is the leading scorer in the NPFL with 10 goals, but he did not show much playing on the right wing in Accra.
Emmanuel Ogbole has been on fine form for Kwara United recently and replaced Alimi in the second half.
However, he also did not hold as much threat as Abubakar Adamu, who played on the flanks.
The team will need a physical, all-action striker like Samuel Ayanrinde from Shooting Stars, who missed the final cut for the trip to Ghana.
He is tall, aggressive, good in the air and also packs a good shot.
The midfield will also have to create chances and so to start Papa Daniel, who came off the bench for the second half and was only denied his day in the sun by the post after his thunderbolt beat the Ghanaian goalkeeper.
The ageless Rabiu Ali should also see action in Uyo with a free role in midfield that will energise a strike force capable of far more than they showed in Ghana.
