Black Galaxies Fail To Qualify For The CHAN Tournament.

Ghana’s home-based team, which is made up of a blend of local players from Ghana’s various domestic leagues, the Black Galaxies, have failed to qualify for next year’s CHAN tournament, which will be held in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda after a poor performance in their second leg encounter against Nigeria. Despite both teams playing a goalless draw in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana, the Black Galaxies of Ghana still managed to end the second leg with a 3-1 defeat far away in Nigeria.

The second leg encounter  between the home side The Chan Eagles of Nigeria and the away side, the Black Galaxies of Ghana, was played at the Godwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. The CHAN Eagles of Nigeria came out in the first half with intense pressure on the Ghanaians and also created numerous chances. Nigeria’s home-based team managed to score 3 goals in the first half, with Ghana only scoring one to reduce the deficit late in the second half.

Nigeria took an early lead in the first half when a long ball pass was seen to be played from Nigeria’s half only for the ball to land behind Ghana’s defense. Ismaila Sodiq of Remo Stars in Nigeria was seen to have placed the ball in the net, leading to their first goal. A second was scored by Nduka on the 20th minute. A mistake from Ghanaian goalkeeper Benjamin Asare saw the CHAN Eagles of Nigeria scoring their last goal of the game. Late in the second half, forward Stephen Amankona, who ply’s his trade for Brekum Chelsea in Ghana’s top-flight league, scored Ghana’s only goal in the game.

Ghana’s failure to qualify for the CHAN tournament can be attributed to many factors, of which some are defensive problems. The four-back system, which was adapted by Coach Mas Ud Didi Dramani in the first leg, was seen to be crumpled upon after Nigeria’s high-tempo gameplay in the second leg encounter. Also, the inability of  the team to create chances really cost the team. Ghana was seen struggling to create chances in both legs. Key attackers like Albert Amoah of Kumasi Asante Kotoko were neutralized by Nigeria’s defense. Also the inability of the team to handle pressure in front of the away fans. The Black Galaxies, who could not handle pressure coming from the home fans, were seen to have concede early in the game.

Not the results Ghanaian football fans wanted. Some fans expressed their disappointments and frustrations on various social media spaces. One said, “So what is exciting about Ghanaian football?” Another added, “Didi has badly coached this team over the two legs.” The online discourse underscores the importance of football to Ghana’s national identity and the collective desire for progress in the sport.