Home-based Eagles defeat Ghana to qualify for first CHAN in 6 years

The Super Eagles B scored three first-half goals to claim a dominant 3-1 win over the Black Galaxies of Ghana in the second leg of their African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

The victory ensured a 3-1 aggregate win for the home-based Eagles following a goalless first leg, thus ensuring Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 CHAN tournament.

The Eagles scored thrice in six minutes through Sodiq Ismail, Nduka Junior, and Isaac Saviour to dump out a shell-shocked Ghanian side tactically naïve and outmaneuvered by their opponents. Stephen Amankuna scored Ghana’s solitary goal.

Ismail put the Eagles in front on 19 minutes when he sprung the offside trap to meet a long punt forward, squeezing his shot under goalkeeper Benjamin Asare for 1-0.

The lead was doubled four minutes later following a poorly cleared corner kick that found its way back into the penalty area, allowing Junior, the team captain, to guide an expert finish into the roof of the net at the near post.

Two minutes later, the Eagles were three-nil up when good pressing by Sikiru Alimi led Saviour to pounce on a loose pass and round the goalkeeper before stroking into an empty net.

Alimi had chances to extend the Eagles’ lead before Amankuna scored the consolation goal for Ghana on 70 minutes.

The final whistle sent the Super Eagles’ bench into jubilation mode as the country qualified for its first CHAN tournament in six years — after missing out on the last two editions.

It is also the first time the home-based Eagles will defeat their Ghanaian counterparts in three attempts.

The 2025 CHAN will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda between February 1 to February 28.

The African Nations Championship (CHAN) is a biennial competition reserved exclusively for professional footballers playing in their country’s domestic leagues.