Former Nigerian international Sylvanus Okpala has praised the indigenous coaches who guided the CHAN Eagles to victory over Ghana, securing their ticket to the 2024 African Nations Championship, CHAN.

The home-based Eagles defeated Ghana’s Black Galaxies 3-1 on Saturday in Uyo, sealing their qualification for the tournament scheduled for February 2025 in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The team, led by assistant coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu, drew 0-0 in the first leg in Ghana before completing the job in Uyo.

This marks Nigeria’s return to the CHAN tournament after a six-year absence, with their last appearance in 2018 ending in a runner-up finish.

Speaking to Brila.net, Okpala highlighted the advantage of selecting coaches from the domestic league, emphasizing their familiarity with the players.

“One great thing for the team is that those handling the home-based Eagles have been in the league for the past 3-5 years.

They know the boys inside out, having played against them and studied their strengths, weaknesses, and characteristics,” he said.

The former Super Eagles assistant coach called for more opportunities for local coaches, stating that their success proves their capability.

“Nigerian coaches can deliver if given the chance. This is not the first time we’ve qualified for CHAN, but it’s a significant achievement after years of missing out,” Okpala added.

The 2025 CHAN tournament is exclusively for players competing in Africa’s domestic leagues and will take place from February 1 to 28, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

With the ticket secured, the CHAN Eagles now have the chance to make their mark on the continental stage once again.