Coach Daniel Ogunmodede believes that the strong rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana will serve as a powerful motivator for the home-based Super Eagles as they prepare for their 2024 African Nations Championship qualifier.
The home-based Super Eagles are eager to seek redemption in their two-legged matchup against Ghana after the Black Galaxies prevented Nigeria from qualifying for the previous edition of the tournament held in Algeria.
Ogunmodede expressed confidence in his players’ determination to secure a victory against their Ghanaian counterparts. “A pivotal focus for us is managing the pressure and expectations that come with such a crucial match against our longstanding rivals,” the Remo Stars technical adviser told CAFonline.
“We stress the importance of mental resilience, maintaining a sharp focus on our game strategy, and fostering confidence among the players to perform to their utmost ability. We aim to view this rivalry as a source of motivation instead of anxiety, which is essential to our approach.”
Ogunmodede also highlighted the significance of qualifying for the tournament, saying, “Achieving qualification would be a significant milestone. It would provide a valuable opportunity to showcase local talent, elevate the profile of our domestic league, and inspire the next generation of footballers.”
The first leg of the qualifier is set to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 22.