After six years, the Super Eagles B qualified for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which Daniel Ogunmodede has called a Yuletide and New Year’s present to Nigerians.
The last time Nigeria played in a competition that was only open to players from Africa was in Morocco in 2018, where the team placed second to the hosts and eventual winners.
Nigeria then missed the last two tournaments, losing to Togo in 2020 and being eliminated by Ghana’s Black Galaxies in 2022.
However, following a goalless first leg in Accra, the Super Eagles B overcame Ghana 3-1 on Saturday at the majestic Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, guaranteeing their place in the CHAN finals, which will be played in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
After the final whistle, an obviously ecstatic Ogunmodede was unable to conceal his happiness.
“I’m happy for today’s win. I’m happy for the country, Nigeria, and I’m happy for Nigerians’ solidarity.
“It’s a Yuletide and New Year gift to Nigerians,” the Super B Assistant Coach and Remo Stars Head Coach told reporters during a post-match press conference in Uyo on Saturday night.
“We want our people to be happy, and I’m delighted that we’ve given them something to celebrate during the Yuletide and New Year.
“It’s just a few days to the end of the year. We didn’t want Nigerians to end the year feeling sad.
” So, I’m very delighted that we’ve given our people something to be happy about as we go into the New Year.”
Nigerians were nervous following last weekend’s goalless draw in the first leg in Accra because they knew that, given CAF’s continued use of the away goals rule, a score draw in the return leg would eliminate their chances of making it to the Tanzania/Kenya/Uganda showpiece in February 2025.
However, Ghanaian goalkeeper Benjamin Asare was powerless as the Nigerian squad scored three goals in an incredible eight-minute period.
Ogunmodede said the Ghanaian team had little to contribute beyond their historical advantage when asked what had changed in his squad following the first match.
“We studied the Ghanaian team and found there was absolutely nothing special about them except their reliance on history,” he said.
“They came with their strength in history, and we removed ourselves from that narrative.
“We were determined to break the jinx. We knew what we wanted – victory – and we went straight for it.
“Like I said yesterday, we wanted to be in CHAN, and now here we are.”
“I’m an advocate for Nigerian coaches, a very serious one at that.
“But that’s not my focus right now. What matters is the result we achieved today – the outcome of this game,” Ogunmodede remarked.
“The players showed tremendous character in the game.
” Coaches, players, and the next generation needed this win because our lives and careers depended on it.
“I agree that, as coaches in this country, we lack the basic facilities needed for growth.
“But we are doing our best to meet the standards of our counterparts abroad.
“I hope people will be patient with local coaches and players so they can excel.”
In the CHAN finals scheduled for February 2025, the Super Eagles B will play their matches in Tanzania.
With less than two months to go, Ogunmodede promised minimal changes to his squad.
The fans, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission, were all delighted by the Super Eagles B’s spectacular performance, which demonstrated the calibre of the NPFL.
Ogunmodede acknowledged that local coaches operate in difficult circumstances but expressed hope for improvement when asked if the team’s performance marked the arrival of Nigerian indigenous coaches on the big stage.
“Going into today’s match against Ghana’s Black Galaxies, I didn’t realise it had been six years since we last qualified for the tournament,” he said.
“Perhaps if I had known, it would have added to the pressure.
“We were determined to break the Ghanaian jinx, and we did. Don’t forget, we had thorough preparation for the qualifiers.
“We had three phases of preparation: bringing the players into camp, with the last phase starting about three to four weeks ago at the excellent facilities of Remo Stars FC.
“Hopefully, we’ll have the same quality of preparation for the CHAN finals.
“There’s little we can change because these boys have proven themselves.
“We will review today’s match video to identify and correct any weaknesses ahead of the tournament.”
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