Nigeria’s Super Eagles have successfully secured their place in the African Nations Championship, set to take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, by defeating Ghana’s Black Galaxies 3-1 in the second leg of their qualifying match on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The initial encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium ended in a 0-0 stalemate, making this match crucial for both teams, as a win would ensure qualification for the upcoming tournament.
The Super Eagles B team quickly established dominance, racing to a 3-0 lead. Sodiq Ismail opened the scoring with a well-executed shot in the 18th minute, followed by Nduka Junior, who added a second just three minutes later, leaving the visiting team in disarray.
Kazeem Ogunleye further increased the Super Eagles B’s advantage by taking advantage of a defensive blunder from the Black Galaxies, skillfully maneuvering around the goalkeeper to score into an unguarded net.
Despite facing a significant deficit, Ghana entered the second half with renewed determination, striving to challenge the Super Eagles B. Their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute when Stephen Amankuna scored, providing the away team with a glimmer of hope.
This victory ensures that the Super Eagles B team will participate in the African Nations Championship, scheduled from February 1 to February 25, 2025, marking the first time the tournament will be co-hosted by three nations.
The rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana has long been regarded as one of the most significant fixtures in West African football.
