- Beat Ghana’s Black Galaxies 3-1
- CAR stun Cameroon for historic qualification
- Burkina, DRC also advance
The second leg of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers delivered dramatic moments on Saturday as Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles, known as the CHAN Eagles or Eagles B, booked their ticket to participate in the 2025 African Nations Championship.
Also qualifying for the final phase of the Championship 2024 to be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania from 1st February to 25th February 2025, are the Central African Republic (CAR), Burkina Faso, Guinea, Senegal and DR Congo.
Having drawn goalless in the first leg in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, the CHAN Eagles secured their place following a commanding 3-1 victory over the Black Galaxies at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.
Three quick first-half goals from Remo Stars duo Sodiq Ismail and Nduka Junior as well as and Saviour Isaac in the first half proved decisive for the Eagles B Team, while Stephen Amankuna scored a consolation goal for the visiting Ghanaian side in the 73rd minute.
The victory ensured that Nigeria qualified for their first CHAN tournament since 2018 having previously been eliminated by their Ghanaian counterparts from CHAN qualification in 2008 and 2022.
Nigeria will now seek to improve on their previous best finish in the tournament which was as runners-up in 2018.
Meanwhile, in other matches, the Central African Republic (CAR) achieved a historic first qualification by eliminating Cameroon in a stunning 2-1 comeback in Bafoussam.
Despite Angel Yondjo Matah’s opener for Cameroon in the 31st minute, Barry Nelson’s penalty equalized before Bertillon Arnold Yangana sealed victory in the 87th minute.
Cameroon, semi-finalists in 2021, failed to qualify for CHAN for the first time in seven editions.
In Bamako, Burkina Faso overturned a two-goal deficit from the first leg against Côte d’Ivoire. Goals from Aboubacar Traoré and Franck Kanté leveled the aggregate score, forcing penalties.
The Stallions held their nerve, converting four spot-kicks to the Elephants’ two, securing their spot at CHAN 2024.
DR Congo continued their dominance at home with a 3-1 victory over Chad in Kinshasa to also clinch their spot at the tournament in February.
Oscar Kabwit gave the Leopards an early lead, with Jonathan Mokonzi and Nyembo Ntumba sealing the win in the second half after Chad briefly equalized through Ahmat Abdraman.
Elsewhere, Guinea confirmed their superiority over Guinea-Bissau with a 2-1 away win, completing a 6-2 aggregate triumph.
Goals from Mohamed Saliou Bangoura and Naby Bangoura ensured Guinea’s qualification under coach Souleymane Camara Abedy.
Meanwhile Senegal defeated Liberia 3-0 to also secured their place thanks to goals by Oumar Ba, Baye Ciss and Madione Mbaye to secure their ticket to the tournament.
These results highlight the fierce competition as the stage is set for CHAN 2024 in East Africa.
