CHAN Qualifirer: Didi Dramani positive about return leg against Nigeria

Black Galaxies head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has offered his tactical insights following Ghana’s goalless draw with Nigeria in the first leg of the 2025 CHAN qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Speaking to AFA Sports, Didi highlighted the challenges of facing a Nigerian side adept at defending deep and exploiting counterattacks.

“From what we all saw, they [Nigeria] try to sit back and then go on the transition,” he explained. “When you play against a team like that, it is even more dangerous because you continuously move forward, and then there will be space behind.”

The experienced coach emphasized the importance of maintaining defensive discipline in such a tightly contested match.

“We were also cautious not to concede because it’s important that when the game is barren, it is still an open game,” Didi noted.

Looking ahead to the second leg, Didi expressed optimism about his team’s abilities while acknowledging the need to neutralize Nigeria’s strengths.

“We are very positive that from our display, we are good on the ball, we are good in taking spaces,” he said. “They are good in making the transitions. We [should] try to avoid this [Nigeria transitions] and then take the right moments.”

The decisive second leg is scheduled for December 28 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. The winner of the tie will secure a coveted spot at the 2025 CHAN tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The Black Galaxies will need to produce a strong performance to overcome their rivals and advance to the continental showpiece.