Daniel Ogunmodede, interim Head Coach of the Super Eagles B team, has ruled out any squad changes for their crucial second-leg CHAN qualifier against the Ghana Black Galaxies. The first leg ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw last weekend in Accra.
Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Ogunmodede reiterated the importance of consistency, dismissing the idea of experimenting at such a critical stage.
“This is not the time to gamble,” Ogunmodede asserted when asked about potential lineup changes. “The players who featured in the first leg earned their spots.
Being part of this team is a privilege, and as a coach, it’s also a privilege for me to lead. There are countless players and coaches who would love this opportunity.”
He emphasized the team’s focus on strategy, adding, “We’re on the verge of qualification, so there’s no room for risks. We have a clear game plan for Saturday, and this isn’t the time to test new ideas. During the tournament itself, we can consider other options.”
The coach acknowledged the high stakes of the match, given the intense rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana. Nigeria has suffered recent heartbreaks at the hands of Ghana in CHAN qualifiers, including a penalty shootout loss in 2022 and a narrow aggregate defeat by Togo in 2020.
“Games against Ghana are always tough. They come with a victory mindset, and things don’t always go as planned,” Ogunmodede noted. “It’s never easy when two rivals meet, especially neighbors like us. We expect a tough battle.”
With qualification hanging in the balance, the Super Eagles B team is determined to secure a positive result in Uyo tonight.
The rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana always makes for an intense match.
Let’s break the jinx and qualify this time. We’ve had too many heartbreaks!
I expect the home crowd to be our 12th man. Let’s turn up and support the team!
We must be clinical in front of goal; a goalless draw won’t help us!
Great decision by the coach! Consistency is key in such crucial matches.
I hope the team is mentally and physically ready for this challenge.
Ghana won’t be an easy opponent, but we have the quality to win.