2025 CHAN Qualifiers: Ghana legend Abedi Pele backs Black Galaxies ahead of Nigeria showdown

Ghana football legend, Abedi Pele, has expressed his support for the Black Galaxies ahead of their crucial 2024 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) qualifiers against Nigeria.

The two-legged matchups are set to take place this month, with Ghana facing off against their long-time rivals.

Following a 2-1 victory by the Black Galaxies over Abedi Pele’s Nania FC in a warm-up match on Thursday and a dominant 5-0 win over Northern City, a second-tier team, at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, the former football star shared his encouragement for the team.

"It has been a pleasure for me to have this honour to play against you people today,” Abedi Pele said.

"What I have discovered is you have a strong team, strong physically, technically wonderful. So for me, the future is in the making, and the future of Ghana football is in the making."

Abedi Pele noted that representing the national team carries an intrinsic motivation: “The reason is, when you are born in this country and you are playing for the national team, the bond, the hunger to succeed the courage, the determination is paramount. You try to do your possible best and that is what I’m seeing now. Not only physically strong but tactically well organized.

“It’s a very good pleasure for my team to have this experience to play against you people," he added.

Ghana will host the first leg of the CHAN qualifiers on December 22 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the second leg set for December 28 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria.

The winner of the two-legged tie will secure a spot in the main tournament, which is set to take place from February 1 to 28, 2025, across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.