- Safiu Kehinde
Nigeria’s Home-based Eagles have sealed a spot in the 2025 African Nations Cup (CHAN) following 3-1 aggregate win against Ghana.
Following goalless draw at the first leg, the Home-based Eagles hosted the Black Stallions at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state, on Saturday.
With barely 20 minutes into the game, the Nigerian team broke the deadlock with thrice in six minutes through Sodiq Ismail’s brilliant goal in the 19th minutes.
The Remo Stars defender, beat Ghana’s offside trap to meet a through ball which he slotted under goalkeeper Benjamin Asare for the 1-0 lead.
The Eagles would double the lead four minutes later following a poorly cleared corner kick which found its way back into the penalty area to meet Nduka Junior.
The Remo Stars goal poacher and Eagles’ team captain, slammed the ball into the roof of the net at the near post.
Two minutes later, the Eagles were three-nil up after Saviour Isaac pounced on a loose pass and rounded the goalkeeper before stroking into an empty net before halftime whistle.
The game appeared to have ended right at half-time as the Home-based Eagles held the Ghanaian at bay.
The visitors, however, managed to pull one back courtesy Amankuna’s consolation goal in the 70 minutes.
With no other goals from both ends, the referee blew the final whistle which sent the Super Eagles’ bench into jubilation mode as the country qualified for its first CHAN tournament in six years — after missing out on the last two editions.
According to reports, the win also marked the first time that the home-based Eagles will defeat their Ghanaian counterparts in three attempts.
The 2025 CHAN will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda between February 1 to February 28.