Junior Harrison Nduka, the captain of Nigeria’s home-based national team, has issued a bold rallying cry ahead of their crucial second-leg clash against Ghana in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.

Following a tightly contested goalless draw in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium, all eyes now turn to the reverse fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. The stakes are high, with the match not only representing a chance to qualify for the 2025 CHAN tournament but also reigniting a storied rivalry between the two West African giants.

“The future lies in our hands right now,” Nduka declared confidently in an interview with Pan-Africa Football. “We need to qualify by all means, and at the same time, we know we have to defend as well because the best way to defend is to attack.”

The memory of Nigeria’s heartbreak in the 2022 CHAN qualifiers, where Ghana triumphed via penalties in Abuja, still lingers. Nduka emphasized the importance of turning the tide this time. “We need to deliver a similar bitter pill to Ghana,” he added, vowing that the team is ready to fight for redemption on home soil.

As the clock ticks toward December 28, both teams are preparing for an intense showdown, knowing that only one will claim a spot in the 2025 CHAN tournament, set to be hosted across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.