Nigeria CHAN Eagles thumped the Black Galaxies of Ghana 3-1 (aggregate 3-1) to clinch their spot in next year’s African Nations Championship on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
After a first leg goalless draw in Accra last weekend, the Nigerian side scored three first-half goals through Sodiq Ismail, Junior Nduka, and Saviour Isaac to beat Ghana to the ticket after previous disappointments.
Ghana stopped Nigeria from reaching the 2009 and 2023 finals, in Cote d’Ivoire and Algeria respectively, and also defeated Nigeria after a penalty shootout when a semi-final clash at the 3rd African Nations Championship in South Africa in 2014 ended scoreless.
Niger Tornadoes midfielder Papa Daniel was the only change in the starting line up from the first leg, while veteran Rabiu Ali was listed on the bench again.
Nigeria controlled the early proceedings of the match before going ahead to take the lead through Sodiq Isma’il’s finish from a well-tailored pass by Nduka Junior.
Just three minutes later, Nduka doubled Nigeria’s lead after the Black Galaxies failed to clear their lines from a corner-kick by Papa Daniel.
The Nigerians kept the intensity up, and they got another reward for their press after Saviour Isaac intercepted a loose ball before dribbling past Benjamin Asare to slot into an unguarded net for Nigeria’s third.
With Nigeria firmly in the driving seat, the team slowed down the tempo as they tried to see off the contest. Stephen Amankona grabbed a consolation for the Ghanaians in the 73rd minute.
The CHAN Eagles held on to book their place in the tournament proper – which will be played in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in February 2025.
Image credit: Ghana FA
