NIGERIA’S Super Eagles battled Ghana to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying tie in Accra on Sunday.
Ghana’s Black Galaxies dominated the first half at the Accra Sports Stadium and created several opportunities, but they were held off by the Super Eagles defence, led by captain Nduka Junior.
Stephen Amankwoo found an opening through the Nigeria 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 sailed over as the regional rivals sized each other up and sought an advantage ahead of next Saturday’s return leg.
The 0-0 draw is the best result Nigeria have earned against Ghana away in any qualifying contest for CHAN, with the Super Eagles B losing 3-2 to their hosts in 2008 and then getting beaten 2-0 in 2022.
The second leg of the tie is set for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, with the winners on aggregate to represent WAFU B at the biennial championship reserved exclusively for professional footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic leagues.
The eighth edition of CHAN will be hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda from February 1 to February 28, 2025.
