Ghana’s Black Galaxies coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, has opened up on his team’s disappointing 3-1 loss to Nigeria’s Super Eagles B in the second leg of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier. The match, held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, saw Nigeria secure their spot in the CHAN tournament after a dominant first-half display left the Ghanaians reeling.

Following a goalless first-leg draw in Accra, hopes were high for a closely contested encounter. However, Daniel Ogunmodede’s Nigerian side shattered those expectations with an explosive performance. Sodiq Akinola Ismaila’s opener in the 18th minute was swiftly followed by Junior Harrison Nduka’s strike just three minutes later. By the 25th minute, Saviour Johnson Isaac had added a third, leaving Ghana trailing 3-0 at halftime.

Despite a second-half consolation goal from Amankona Stephen in the 74th minute, the damage was already done, and Nigeria celebrated a triumphant return to the CHAN stage after missing out on the last two editions.

Speaking after the match, Dramani admitted that Nigeria’s superior intensity and tactical execution proved too much for his side. “Nigeria showed much more hunger and did a lot of running. We gave away some key moments, and that turned out to be disastrous,” he lamented.

Dramani also highlighted the psychological toll of conceding quick successive goals. “The first goal is tough, but the second and third can completely drain a team. After that, it’s difficult to recover.”

This defeat compounds Ghana’s recent struggles on the international stage, following their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). However, Dramani urged fans to view these challenges as part of a rebuilding process. “These are lessons learned in good faith. Failure, though painful, offers an opportunity to reflect and bounce back stronger.”

Dramani further called on CAF to reassess the qualification format, which often pits West African powerhouses against each other in the early stages. “When Nigeria and Ghana meet this early, the continent loses out on having stronger representation at major tournaments,” he argued.

With the 2024 CHAN—delayed to 2025—set to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, Nigeria will aim to replicate their 2018 form, when they reached the final. For Ghana, however, the road to redemption remains long and arduous.