The Black Galaxies of Ghana have been eliminated from the race to qualify for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) following a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria’s Super Eagles B in the second leg of their playoff encounter. After a goalless first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium, the decisive return fixture took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Ghana’s coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, made notable changes to his starting lineup, introducing Fatawu Sulemana, Abdulai Nurudeen, and Jerry Afriyie in an attempt to strengthen the team. Despite these adjustments, the Black Galaxies struggled to find their rhythm, falling victim to Nigeria’s clinical finishing and defensive lapses in their own ranks.
The Super Eagles B asserted dominance early in the game, capitalizing on Ghana’s defensive frailties. Sodiq Ismail gave the hosts an early lead in the 18th minute, and just three minutes later, captain Nduka Junior doubled Nigeria’s advantage with a well-taken strike from close range after a poorly cleared corner. Before halftime, Isaac Saviour further compounded Ghana’s woes, exploiting another defensive error to round the goalkeeper and slot in Nigeria’s third goal. Despite being down 3-0 at halftime, the Black Galaxies showed more urgency in the second half, controlling possession and pushing forward. However, their efforts yielded limited chances. Stephen Amankona eventually managed to pull one goal back for Ghana, but it was too late to turn the tide.
With a 3-1 aggregate victory, Nigeria’s Super Eagles B secured their spot in the 2024 CHAN tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The defeat is a significant blow for Ghana, who had hoped to build on their performance in the previous CHAN competition. Coach Dramani and his team will need to reflect on their shortcomings, particularly their defensive vulnerabilities, and work toward rebuilding for future tournaments. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s triumph underlines their strength and preparation as they gear up to represent their nation on the continental stage. For Ghana, this setback serves as a reminder of the challenges of maintaining consistency at this level, while Nigeria celebrates their qualification and looks ahead to the competition with renewed confidence.
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