STAND-IN Super Eagles B head coach Daniel Ogunmodede is focused on achieving victory during tomorrow’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Ghana’s Black Galaxies in Uyo.
The fierce West African rivals drew 0-0 in Accra on Sunday in the first leg of the final qualifying round tie, with the decisive second leg scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.
“We are doing everything to stay focused by avoiding any distractions,” Ogunmodede, who is also the head coach of Remo Stars, said.
“Yes, we got a scoreless draw in the first leg away and now playing at home, but we are not in any way carried away. Our objective was to score an away goal in Accra but that did not happen.
“On Saturday, we will approach the game like our lives depend on it. Our watchword is getting the win that will qualify us for the African Nations Championship finals coming up in East Africa.”
The eighth edition of the competition reserved for footballers plying their trade in their nation’s domestic leagues will take place across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda from February 1 to February 28, 2025.
Ghana have dominated CHAN clashes against Nigeria, with the Eagles winning only one of six previous clashes. Three have resulted in 0-0 draws.
Ghana won 3-2 in Accra in 2008 and also 2-0 in Accra in 2022, and have claimed victory even in the ones that ended in ties.
The 0-0 draw in Calabar in 2008 meant Ghana advanced to the inaugural CHAN finals in Cote d’Ivoire on the strength of their 3-2 win in Accra two weeks earlier, and when their semi-final clash in the third edition of the final tournament in South Africa in 2014 ended 0-0, the Galaxies prevailed 4-1 after a penalty shootout.
Ogunmodede’s side have earned Nigeria’s best result against Ghana on away ground with the 0-0 draw.
