Nigeria, Ghana Clash in CHAN and WAFU Finals Showdown
Nigeria vs Ghana Rivalry Heats Up With CHAN and WAFU Finals.
For the umpteenth time this year, Nigeria and Ghana reignite their fierce football rivalry on Sunday in a thrilling doubleheader. The Super Eagles B face the Black Galaxies in the first leg of the CHAN 2024 qualifiers, while the Flamingos take on Ghana’s U-17 girls in the inaugural WAFU B U-17 Cup final.
Super Eagles B Aim to Break CHAN Jinx
The first leg of the CHAN qualifiers kicks off at 4 PM Ghana time (5 PM Nigeria time) at the Accra Sports Stadium. Nigeria, under interim head coach Daniel Ogunmodede and assistant Fidelis Ilechukwu, is determined to secure CHAN qualification for the first time since 2018.
Having trained for three weeks at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogunmodede selected an 18-man squad featuring stars like Kano Pillars’ Rabiu Ali, Remo Stars’ Junior Nduka and Jide Fatokun, and NPFL top scorer Anas Yusuf.
Speaking about the rivalry, Ogunmodede emphasized mental preparation:
“Playing the first leg away presents a unique challenge. Securing a win would give us a psychological edge. We are focused on showcasing our quality and resilience,” he told CAF Online.
The second leg will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on December 28. The winner on aggregate advances to the 2025 CHAN tournament, co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Flamingos Ready for WAFU U-17 Glory
Later on Sunday, the Flamingos will face Ghana’s U-17 team in the WAFU B U-17 final at the Ghana Centre of Excellence in Prampram. The Flamingos, led by Bankole Olowookere, have been in scintillating form, scoring 14 goals in three matches while conceding only twice.
Key players include Shakirat Moshood, who scored four goals in the 9-0 demolition of Benin Republic, and Harmony Chidi, whose hat-trick secured a 3-2 win over Ivory Coast in the semifinals.
The Ghanaian team, however, poses a formidable challenge, having crushed Ivory Coast 5-0 in their semifinal.
Nigeria vs Ghana Recent Face-Offs
Nigeria has had the upper hand in recent meetings against Ghana:
March 2023: Super Eagles defeated the Black Stars 2-1 in a friendly in Marrakech.
May 2023: U-17 boys edged Ghana 3-2 in the WAFU B third-place match.
October 2023: Flying Eagles beat the Black Satellites 3-1 to retain their WAFU B U-20 title.
A Day of Rivalry and Redemption
With bragging rights and tournament progression at stake, both fixtures promise intense competition. Can the Super Eagles B overcome past CHAN disappointments, and will the Flamingos continue their dominant form? All eyes will be on the pitch as Nigeria and Ghana write another chapter in their storied football rivalry.
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