Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba has cautioned Nigeria’s CHAN Eagles not to underestimate the determination of Ghana’s Black Galaxies ahead of their crucial playoff return leg in Uyo on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The stakes are high, with the overall winner set to qualify for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place in February 2025 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The first leg in Accra ended goalless, leaving all to play for in the return fixture.

Former Borussia Dortmund striker and one-time Africa Footballer of the Year Ikpeba urged Nigeria’s home-based stars to seize the moment.

“The CHAN Eagles must fight because this is one game that Ghana do not want to lose,” Ikpeba told SuperSport.

“We all remember what happened with the Super Eagles against the same Ghana for the 2022 World Cup.”

Ikpeba highlighted the significance of qualification, not just for national pride but also for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and its players.

“This is a big chance for the league and home-based players to show what they are capable of,” he added.

“Many of us have had our reservations about the players in the NPFL, particularly going by their performance on the continent.”

In preparation for the decisive clash, the CHAN Eagles have bolstered their squad by recalling five players, including forwards Samuel Ayanrinde (Shooting Stars) and Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors).

Both are expected to add firepower to Nigeria’s attack with their physicality and goal-scoring prowess.

Midfielder Kazeem Ogunleye (Enugu Rangers), Vincent Temitope (Plateau United), and Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United) also return to the fold after being initially omitted from the trip to Ghana.

The team is already in Uyo and have been training twice a day, focusing on securing a crucial victory on home soil.

The match against Ghana kicks off at 5 pm on Saturday, with Nigeria looking to redeem recent setbacks against Ghana and secure a spot in Africa’s prestigious tournament for home-based players.

Interim head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles Augustine Eguavoen has expressed his willingness to continue leading the team through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) calls on him, Soccernet.ng reports.

However, the former international defender has also urged the federation to swiftly decide on appointing a permanent manager, emphasizing the importance of clarity and preparation.

“If I am called upon (by the NFF to manage the Super Eagles through the remainder of the 2026 WCQ series), I don’t know what I will say,” Eguavoen told Kennis FM.

“But all hands must be on deck. We want to try and qualify for the World Cup. March is just around the corner. If we have to do something (about the team), we need to do it quick.”

Eguavoen, who took the reins in September, successfully led Nigeria to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite this achievement, the NFF remains intent on appointing a foreign coach to lead the three-time African champions.

With the World Cup qualifiers resuming in March 2025, Eguavoen has stressed the urgency of finalizing the coaching situation.

“That person should come in as quickly as possible, settle down, so that we could speak, tweak things, exchange ideas, and talk about the way forward,” he continued.

“The earlier (that a substantive coach is found), the better.”

Nigeria face an uphill task to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Super Eagles have struggled in their qualifying campaign, failing to win any of their first four games and trailing behind Rwanda, Benin, and South Africa in a group where only the top team secures automatic qualification.

The urgency is palpable as Nigeria seek to return to the global stage after missing out on Qatar 2022.

The Joint Technical Committee for the 22nd National Sports Festival, Ogun 2024, has approved an adjustment of the Games’ dates to allow the Games reflect the new direction of sports in the country and also provide more time for the implementation of recommendations made during the joint technical meeting.

According to a communiqué jointly signed by the Director General of the National Sports Commission/Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Hon. Adebukola Olopade, and the Honourable Commissioner for Sports Development, Ogun State, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, the Gateway Games will now take place from May 16 to 30, 2025. Additionally, the zonal eliminations for team sports are scheduled to hold from February 23 to 28, 2025.

During the deliberations, the committee commended the Federal Government for its political will to develop sports in Nigeria through the creation of a dedicated Commission to manage sports affairs. They also lauded the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, MFR, as well as the Government and the good people of Ogun State, for their warm reception, hospitality, and commitment to successfully hosting and organizing the 22nd National Sports Festival.

Commendations were also extended to Chief Kunle Soname and the management of Babcock University for their support towards the organization of the Games.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Hon. Olopade explained that “in the spirit of the new definition of sports organization in Nigeria, creating an ecosystem of economic sustainability by Mr President, there was a need to push it forward to capture all of those elements together, he said.” “This would also get the Commission to settle down properly. We’re excited for the new date and the extra five months to put everything together and show the whole country what capacity is all about.”

Explaining the new initiative coming the 2024 NSF, Hon. Olopade said “when you think about the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative, where young promising athletes will compete as a 38th state, it is a promising move towards fostering development of our best young talents and it’s happening for the first time in the history of the Games.”

“It’s a strategy to empower young and promising talents, and create a pathway for them to be exposed at the top level. These athletes will compete against established athletes hoping to upset the status quo. It speaks to the core of what President Tinubu has asked of us to do,” the DG concluded.

The 1st Joint Technical Meeting for the 22nd National Sports Festival took place on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Banquet Hall, Mitros Residence and Suites, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The meeting was preceded by a technical assessment and inspection of the proposed venues and facilities for the Games, conducted by all major stakeholders present at the Joint Technical Meeting.

As part of the resolutions, it was agreed that a 2nd Joint Technical Meeting and Inspection Visit would be necessary to ensure that all observed issues have been adequately addressed ahead of the Games.