Super Eagles B coach Ogunmodede shifts focus to CHAN 2025
By Olaolu Joseph
Nigeria’s Super Eagles B have refused to get carried away after their emphatic victory over Ghana’s Black Galaxies, which secured their qualification for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025.
The home-based Eagles defeated their Ghanaian counterparts 3-1 in a second-leg qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. The victory marked Nigeria’s return to the CHAN tournament after missing the last two editions, sparking widespread celebration across the country.
Despite the jubilation, Super Eagles’ stand-in coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, remained measured in his response during his post-match interview, emphasizing the need to focus on preparations for the tournament.
“We are happy to have given Nigerians a good gift for this yuletide period, but we will not over-celebrate this achievement and forget the crux of the matter. We will work hard so that we can contend very well for the trophy at the finals in February,” Ogunmodede stated.
The Remo Stars coach described the victory as a perfect Christmas and New Year gift for Nigerians.
On the opposing side, Black Galaxies’ coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, admitted his team’s shortcomings, attributing their loss to the Nigerian side’s hunger for success.
“They were full of running and played their hearts out. Congratulations to Nigeria because they deserved their victory. They were the better team,” Dramani said.
The loss capped a disappointing year for Ghanaian football, including the Black Stars’ poor group-stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, their failure to qualify for the next AFCON, and the Black Starlets’ inability to secure a spot at the Africa U17 Cup of Nations.
In contrast, Nigeria celebrated their return to CHAN with great enthusiasm, having last participated in the tournament six years ago, where they claimed silver in Morocco. Eliminating a longstanding rival like Ghana made the achievement even sweeter for the team and its fans.
The delayed CHAN 2025 finals are set to take place from February 1 to 28 across Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, where the Super Eagles B will aim to contend for the coveted trophy.
