Nigeria’s CHAN Eagles held their West African counterparts, Ghana, to a goalless draw at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday in the first leg of their qualifying fixture for next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN), Afrosport reports.
The CHAN Eagles, in hostile territory, were largely outplayed in the first half, but Ghana’s Black Galaxies were unable to break the deadlock thanks to some resolute defending from the Nigerian team.
The contest was largely devoid of clear-cut chances, with Ghanaian Stephen Amankwoo failing to beat goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, as his effort was inches wide of the Enyimba shot-stopper’s goal.
Remo Stars experienced striker, Sikiru Alimi, had Nigeria’s best chance in the first half, but his freekick just before halftime sailed over the Ghanaian goal.
The CHAN Eagles, however, came to life in the second half with the inclusion of substitute Papa Daniel, and the Niger Tornadoes midfielder saw his long-distance strike hit the upright in the 58th minute.
Both sides were unable to get on the scoresheet, and Nigeria secured their best away result against Ghana in the CHAN qualifiers, having previously lost 3-2 in 2008 and 2-0 in 2022.
The CHAN Eagles will welcome Ghana’s Black Galaxies to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 28 December, for the second leg of the qualifying fixture, with the aggregate winners set to represent the WAFU B Zone at next year’s tournament.
The 2024 African Nations Championship, the competition’s eighth edition, will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda and is scheduled to take place from 1-28 February 2025.
