Nigeria and Ghana set for jollof derby showdown in 2024 CHAN qualifiers

Nigeria and Ghana are gearing up to reignite their fierce football rivalry, famously known as the “Jollof Derby,” in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducted the draw for the biennial tournament on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling two-legged encounter between these West African giants.

Scheduled for December 2024, the Super Eagles B, Nigeria’s home-based squad, will face their Ghanaian counterparts in a high-stakes battle to secure a place in the 2024 CHAN tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Ghana will host the first leg of the tie from December 20 to 22, with the return fixture set to take place in Nigeria between December 27 and 29.

The upcoming matches carry significant weight, as both teams are eager to assert dominance in the region and secure a coveted spot in the prestigious CHAN competition.

For Nigeria, the fixtures offer a chance at redemption, as the Super Eagles were eliminated by Ghana in the qualifiers for the most recent CHAN tournament, held earlier this year in Algeria.

Ghana went on to secure their spot in the 2023 edition, leaving Nigeria to reflect on a bitter defeat that still stings among fans and players alike.

The rivalry between these two nations goes beyond football, with the long-standing debate over which country makes the better “jollof rice” adding an extra layer of cultural significance to the competition. On the pitch, however, the focus will be firmly on the task at hand—winning the all-important qualifier and advancing to the next stage of CHAN 2024.

Speaking ahead of the December doubleheader, Nigerian football authorities expressed confidence in the Super Eagles B, noting that preparations are already in motion to ensure the team is in top form for the clash.

Fans on both sides of the border are eagerly anticipating the match, knowing that a victory will not only grant bragging rights but also a ticket to the continent’s premier tournament for home-based players.

The winner of the Nigeria-Ghana matchup will secure one of the final spots in CHAN 2024, where Africa’s best home-based footballers will showcase their talents on an international stage.

With both teams determined to prove their superiority, the Jollof Derby promises to deliver a captivating spectacle for football enthusiasts across the continent.

As the countdown begins to this highly anticipated showdown, the question remains: Who will emerge victorious and carry the hopes of their nation to the 2024 CHAN finals? All eyes will be on the first leg in Ghana this December, with the footballing world eagerly awaiting another chapter in this historic rivalry.