Nigeria's Super Eagles B team will face Ghana's Black Galaxies in a high-stakes clash for a place at the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to be co-hosted by Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya next year.
This encounter revives the intense rivalry between the two West African football powerhouses.
Super Eagles B preparation and build-up
The Super Eagles B team arrived in Accra on Friday, December 20, ahead of the first leg on Sunday, December 22.
The squad has undergone rigorous preparations, including two separate training camps and a final three-week session in Ikenne at the Remo Stars Complex.
Coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu led the team during this phase, with Austin Eguavoen absent due to medical treatment in Belgium.
The team’s preparations included six friendly matches designed to test their readiness and refine their strategies.
They began with a narrow 1-0 victory over Grassrunners FC, before reeling off five goals in each of their next three friendlies.
However, Seamoriow Football Club provided a sterner test, but Nigeria edged them out in a thrilling 3-2 encounter.
Finally, the Super Eagles B wrapped up their preparation with a 2-1 victory over Remo Stars.
In total, for the final phase of camping, the team scored 21 goals and conceded four goals as they seek to gain revenge over Ghana.
Historical context: Nigeria vs Ghana in CHAN qualifiers
Ghana has consistently been a thorn in Nigeria’s CHAN aspirations. The Black Galaxies thwarted Nigeria’s attempts to qualify for the tournament in 2009 and 2023.
In the inaugural edition’s qualifiers, Nigeria squandered a 2-0 first-half lead in Accra, eventually losing 3-2.
The return leg in Calabar ended goalless, sealing Ghana’s progression.
In 2023, Nigeria’s campaign ended in heartbreak.
After a 2-0 home win in Abuja to level the tie on aggregate, the Super Eagles B lost 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
This time, Nigeria seeks to rewrite history and secure a ticket to CHAN 2025.
The first leg in Accra precedes the return fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday, December 28.
The eighth edition of CHAN, exclusively for players in domestic leagues with standard contracts, kicks off in February 2025.
Nigeria aims to make a strong impression after missing the previous tournament.
Probable starters for Nigeria
Nigeria probable starters: Ozoemena; Sodiq, Collins, Onyebuchi, Ojetoye, Fatokun, Ali, Isaac, Alimi, Abubakar
Full squad list
Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: Ismail Sodiq (Remo Stars), Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City), Imo Obot (Enyimba FC), Junior Nduka (Remo Stars), Victor Collins (Nasarawa United), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), Steven Manyo (Rivers United)
Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars), Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Saviour Isaac (Rangers International), Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors)
Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United), Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
