Nigeria forced Ghana to a goalless draw in the first leg of the qualifying playoff round for the 2025 African Championships at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday evening, Soccernet.ng reports.
Led by Remo Stars coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, the home-based Super Eagles were solid in defence, tireless in midfield and unlucky in attack as they avoided defeat against the Black Galaxies.
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For all their fine wing play and energetic midfield control, Ghana lacked the efficiency upfront to break the deadlock.
On the few times, the Black Galaxies made their way into Nigeria’s danger area, they found goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani and captain Nduka Junior-led defence in inspired form.
The CHAN Eagles could have stolen the victory midway through the second period but Adamu Abubakar’s fierce effort came off the goalpost as Ghana heaved a sigh of relief.
After the encounter, coach Ogunmodede expressed his pleasure at the result while eyeing a victory in the return fixture.
“We knew Ghana were going to be tough, like I said earlier (during the press conference) but we knew we were good enough to get a positive result,” Ogunmodede stated.
“We showed bravery and that is what Nigeria is known for.
“In the second leg, Nigeria will go for the win.”
The home-based Eagles will trade tackles with Ghana on Saturday, December 28, in the return leg of the CHAN qualifiers.
The match will be played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium where any manner of victory will see Nigeria advance to the tournament proper to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.