Cameroon’s hopes of extending their streak of African Nations Championship (CHAN) appearances were dashed dramatically as the Central African Republic claimed a stunning 2-1 victory in Bafoussam on Saturday. 

Despite holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, the Indomitable Lions A’ fell short on away goals, marking their first absence from the tournament in seven editions.

While the home side lament their failure, the Fauves celebrate their first-ever qualification for CHAN 2024, a historic achievement for the country.

The home side started strongly, with Angel Yondjo Matah putting Cameroon ahead in the 31st minute, latching onto a precise pass from Nchindo John Bosco.

The goal seemed to reinforce their position, but the Fauves had other ideas. Barry Nelson converted a penalty just before half-time to level the score and shift the momentum in the visitors’ favour.

As Cameroon pushed hard for the decisive goal in the second half, their dominance failed to yield results.

 Their fate was sealed in the 87th minute when Bertillon Arnold Yangana struck for the Central African Republic, sparking wild celebrations and leaving the home crowd in stunned silence.

This shocking elimination marks a bitter disappointment for Cameroon, who had reached the semi-finals in the 2021 edition.

For the first time, Nigeria on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo edged out Ghana in an African Nations Championship duel after a 3-1 win to get a 3-1 aggregate victory after the first leg ended goalless in Accra.

It was the seventh encounter of both countries in the African Nations Championship and aggregate scorelines including that of the semi-finals at the 2014 editions had been in Ghana’s favour.

For Ghana, it was a double blow on Saturday as the country had also failed in the qualification for the more prestigious Africa Cup of Nations also holding in 2025.

Sodiq Ismail shot Nigeria ahead in the 18th minute and his clubmate in Remo Stars, Nduka Junior doubled the lead three minutes later before Enugu Rangers’ Saviour Isaac put in the third goal to give Nigeria a 3-0 lead in a space seven minutes.

Ghana pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute through Stephen Amankuna.

Nigeria now qualifies for the final tournament holding in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Both Coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani of Nigeria and Ghana respectively, have stiffened their muscles further on the sticks as they beat the drums harder ahead of Saturday’s 8^th African Nations Championship qualifying tie-breaker in Uyo.

At the pre-match press conference on Friday evening, Dramani insisted his boys created the greater chances in the first leg in Accra and will not be sitting ducks for the Eagles to peck relentlessly at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

“We created far more chances and were unlucky not to score. No need to cry over spilt milk. Tomorrow is an opportunity to get the goals and qualify for the CHAN. It is not going to be easy as there is never any clash between Nigeria and Ghana that can be easy.

“The Super Eagles team is a good one and we have to take our game to another level. We will play an attacking game. Football is about scoring; even when you’re consciously soaking up pressure, you’re still looking to go on the counter and score. Our objective is to qualify for the final tournament.”

Ghana stopped Nigeria from reaching the 2009 and 2023 finals, in Cote d’Ivoire and Algeria respectively, and also defeated Nigeria after a penalty shootout when a semi-final clash at the 3^rd African Nations Championship in South Africa in 2014 ended scoreless.

In addition, the Black Stars barred the Super Eagles from reaching the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals, despite a scoreless finish in the first leg in Kumasi. In Abuja, Thomas Partey scored before a William Ekong penalty evened the scoreline, but the result was enough to spring the Stars to the final tournament in Qatar at the expense of the Eagles.

However, Coach Ogunmodede insisted it is a new day and a new setting when both senior home-based professionals battle it out in south-south Nigeria on Saturday evening.

“They (Ghana) may be depending on so much history and the times they have been victorious over Nigeria, especially in the CHAN, but we are blind to that. In camp, we are not allowing any historical talk to distract us. We are focused on achieving the win that will see us qualify for the finals.

“We are prepared physically, mentally and psychologically for this match. Our special plea is for the fans to troop out on Saturday to come and support the boys. The Ghanaians came out in large numbers to support their team in the first leg and this imbued their players with extra energy and aggression.”