Junior Nduka, captain of Nigeria’s home-based national team, has described the CHAN Eagles’ 3-1 triumph over Ghana on Saturday as a significant milestone for the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
The victory, achieved at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, secured Nigeria’s return to the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) after several years of absence.
Nduka, who also captains NPFL side Remo Stars, emphasized the importance of the win, noting its impact on both the team and the domestic league.
In an exclusive interview with Sports247.ng, Nduka expressed his pride in breaking a long-standing drought against Ghana.
It truly means a lot to us because, for over six years, Nigeria has not been able to defeat Ghana, progress to the next round, or qualify for the tournament proper,” he said.
The defender, who scored one of the goals in the decisive match, highlighted the collective effort that led to the team’s success.
That’s why I’m happy that we’ve been able to break the jinx.
Not just me alone. It’s something that’s really good for all players in the team and for the NPFL,” he added.
Nduka also discussed the broader implications of Nigeria’s qualification for the CHAN, set to take place in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.
He underscored the benefits the tournament would bring to players and the league as a whole.
“This will help us to boost our league. It will also help us to boost our individual profiles as well.
This is my first cap in the national team, and it really means a lot to me,” he said.
Reflecting on the journey to qualification, Nduka noted the team’s determination and focus.
We in the entire team are happy because, at the end of 90 minutes, we won the match. Apart from just winning the match, we are all happy that we qualified.
We are also happy that we were able to break the jinx.
The captain emphasized the significance of the victory for the team’s morale and the opportunities it creates.
We knew what was at stake, and we knew how important the game was to us. Now we have something big to look forward to,” he concluded.
The CHAN Eagles’ success not only marks a new chapter for the national team but also serves as a spotlight for the talent within the NPFL.
The upcoming tournament will provide an opportunity for players like Nduka to showcase their abilities on a continental stage, further elevating the profile of Nigeria’s domestic league.
