Ghana’s Black Galaxies are gearing up for a high-stakes clash against their arch-rivals, Nigeria, as they vie for a spot in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament. Head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has expressed his deep sense of responsibility and pride as he prepares to lead the team in this pivotal encounter.

The first leg of the playoff is set to take place on Sunday, December 22, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 GMT. Speaking to CAFOnline, Dramani, who previously served as an assistant coach for Ghana’s Black Stars and Denmark’s FC Nordsjaelland, highlighted the importance of the occasion.

“As a coach, I see every match as an opportunity to learn and grow. Leading Ghana to victory would be an honour and a testament to the hard work we’ve all put in. It’s not just about personal success but about contributing to the growth of Ghanaian football,” he remarked.

The return leg will be played six days later, on Saturday, December 28, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria.

This matchup revives memories of their heated battle two years ago when Ghana edged out Nigeria on penalties to secure CHAN qualification. While the Black Galaxies reached the quarterfinals in the last edition, they are now looking to make a deeper run in the tournament.

For Dramani, the stakes are not just about winning but about inspiring confidence in Ghanaian football. A victory over their rivals would not only seal a place in the CHAN tournament but also reinforce Ghana’s reputation in African football.