Ogunmodede Vows To Qualify Nigeria For 2024 CHAN Against Ghana

Stand-in head coach of the home-based Super Eagles, Daniel Ogunmodede has vowed to qualify Nigeria for the forthcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Coach Ogunmodede is expected to help Nigeria beat Ghana’s Black Galaxies at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, December 28, to secure the 2024 CHAN ticket.

The eighth CHAN tournament is set to take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1 to 28, 2025. Currently, both Nigeria and Ghana are engaged in a closely contested battle for one of the coveted spots.

After the two teams played to a goalless draw in the first leg in Accra last Sunday, the stage is set for an intense showdown at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Ogunmodede and his squad have been preparing for the game, and the coach has emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding distractions ahead of the crucial match.

“We are fully dedicated to staying centred and avoiding distractions,” Ogunmodede stated. “While we achieved a scoreless draw in the first leg, we must approach this home game with determination. We aimed to secure an away goal, which we didn’t achieve, but now we are ready to give our all on Saturday.”

The team plans to adopt an aggressive strategy from the outset, shifting from their previous defensive approach that relied on counter-attacks in Accra. The rivalry with Ghana, their missed opportunity at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, and their historic encounters in the African Nations Championship all contribute to the anticipation surrounding Saturday’s match.

Despite Ghana’s recent struggles to qualify for the 35th AFCON, which included a challenging group featuring Sudan, Angola, and Niger Republic, the Black Galaxies are expected to put forth a vigorous effort to turn their fortunes around.

For Nigeria, the historical context reveals that Ghana has had the upper hand in previous African Nations Championship meetings, with the Eagles winning just one of their six encounters. Three matches ended in draws, while Ghana claimed victories in the others, including a 3-2 win in Accra in 2008 and a 2-0 win in 2022.

In preparation for Saturday’s match, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Moroccan referee Hamza El Fariq, with his compatriots Abdessamad Abertoune, Zakaria Bouchtaoui, and Hicham Temsamani serving as assistant referees and fourth official.

Prince Kai Saquee from Sierra Leone will act as the commissioner, while Miboti Moise from the Democratic Republic of Congo will serve as the referee assessor.