Nigeria, Ghana clash in CHAN, U-17 finals today
By Olaolu Joseph
For the umpteenth time this year, Nigeria and Ghana reignite their storied football rivalry on Sunday in a high-stakes doubleheader.
The Super Eagles B will lock horns with the Black Galaxies in the first leg of their CHAN 2024 qualifiers, while the Flamingos clash with Ghana’s U-17 girls in the final of the inaugural WAFU B U-17 Cup.
The CHAN qualifier kicks off at 4 p.m. Ghanaian time (5 p.m. Nigerian time) at the Accra Sports Stadium. Meanwhile, the WAFU B U-17 final will unfold at the Ghana Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
After three weeks of intensive training at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, the Super Eagles B, under the guidance of stand-in head coach Daniel Ogunmodede and assistant Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers International, are poised to return to the CHAN tournament. This exclusive competition for players based in their home countries has eluded Nigeria for six years.
Having failed to qualify for the last two editions (2020 and 2022), Nigeria faces a familiar foe in Ghana, who dashed their hopes in the previous qualifiers.
On Friday, Ogunmodede unveiled an 18-man squad from a pool of 29 players for the trip to Accra. Key names include Kano Pillars midfielder Rabiu Ali, Remo Stars trio Junior Nduka, Jide Fatokun, and Sadiq Ismael, Rivers United defender Stephen Manyo, and current Nigeria Premier Football League top scorer Anas Yusuf.
Speaking to CAF Online, Ogunmodede acknowledged the challenge of finalizing the squad:
“Selecting the final squad has been a challenging process due to the pool of talented players available. We evaluate players based on form, fitness, recent club performances, and tactical suitability. Positional requirements and team balance are also crucial in ensuring we have the best lineup for success,” he said.
Despite Ghana’s historical dominance in key encounters, including the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and previous CHAN eliminations, Ogunmodede remains undeterred:
“Managing the pressure and expectations surrounding such a high-stakes game against our intense rivals is a key focus. We emphasize mental fortitude, maintaining a clear focus on our game plan, and instilling confidence in the players to perform at their best. Embracing the rivalry as motivation rather than anxiety is central to our approach.”
He also emphasized the significance of Sunday’s first leg:
“Playing the first leg away presents a unique challenge, but securing a win would give us a psychological edge and demonstrate our resilience. It’s crucial to showcase our quality and character to set the tone for the rest of the tie,” he added.
The decisive second leg will be played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, December 28, with the aggregate winner earning a spot in the eighth CHAN tournament, scheduled for February 2025 in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Flamingos Eye U-17 Glory
The Flamingos, coached by Bankole Olowookere, enter the WAFU B U-17 final brimming with confidence after scoring 14 goals in three matches and conceding only twice. Their dominant form includes a 9-0 demolition of Benin Republic and a thrilling 3-2 victory over Côte d’Ivoire.
The team features standout players such as Shakirat Moshood, a FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup star who scored four goals against Benin, and Harmony Chidi, who netted a hat-trick against Côte d’Ivoire.
Their Ghanaian opponents also arrive with momentum, having defeated Ivory Coast 5-0 in the semifinals.
The Flamingos will aim to cap their campaign with a victory and claim the inaugural WAFU B U-17 title.
