Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s home based squad will triumph over Ghana in their upcoming playoff to qualify for the 2025 African Nations Championship CHAN. Scheduled to take place during the Christmas period, the highly anticipated Jollof Derby will determine which team advances to the tournament, set to be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Speaking on Eagle7fm Sports Radio, Eguavoen declared, “We will qualify and do well at the CHAN.” His remarks come as Nigeria aims to reverse its recent fortunes, having failed to qualify for the last two CHAN editions, including an elimination at the hands of Ghana in the previous playoff round.
Eguavoen confirmed that the team’s two selection phases have been completed, and the final squad for the decisive training camp will be announced in early December.
Editorial
Nigeria’s road to the 2025 CHAN presents a unique opportunity to reclaim their standing in African football by overcoming arch rivals Ghana. Eguavoen’s confidence and strategic approach reflect the importance of this playoff, not only for qualification but also for restoring pride in the home-based Super Eagles, whose absence from the last two editions of CHAN has been a significant blow.
This Jollof Derby holds deep historical and emotional weight, making the stakes even higher. Eguavoen’s preparations, including multiple selection phases, demonstrate the seriousness with which the team approaches this challenge. Fans and stakeholders will be watching closely to see if Nigeria can harness its domestic talent and tactical discipline to secure victory.
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The match is also a reminder of the importance of nurturing local leagues, as CHAN is exclusively for players competing in their respective domestic competitions. A strong performance against Ghana would not only boost morale but also underscore the potential within Nigeria’s league system.
Did You Know?
- The African Nations Championship CHAN is distinct from the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON in that it features only players active in domestic leagues.
- Nigeria has reached the CHAN final once, in 2018, where they finished as runners-up to Morocco.
- The 2025 CHAN will be the first to be co-hosted by three nations: Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
- Ghana and Nigeria share a fierce football rivalry, with matches between the two often referred to as the “Jollof Derby.”
- Augustine Eguavoen previously coached Nigeria’s senior team in the 2006 AFCON, where they finished third.