Exclusive: Junior Nduka Speaks on Leading Nigeria to CHAN Glory

Fresh from a decisive 3-1 victory over Ghana's Black Galaxies in the final leg of the CHAN qualifiers, Junior Nduka, Remo Stars stalwart and Super Eagles B captain, reflects on his inspiring performance, the team's resilience, and Nigeria’s ambitions at the CHAN tournament.

With a goal, an assist, and unrelenting leadership, Nduka etched his name in Nigerian football history.

An Outstanding Performance for the Nation

Junior Nduka's debut for the Super Eagles B was nothing short of spectacular. Reflecting on his performance, he told SportsBoom.com: "It was an outstanding performance; not just from me, but from the entire team. Scoring a goal and providing an assist in such a crucial game means a lot to me because it's my first cap for the national team.

"Putting on the green and white jersey to represent my country over thousands of players is an honor. I knew I had to up my game and give my best because this is a different ball game."

On the victory’s significance for Nigerian football, Nduka emphasized: "You know, the more we progress, the better our ranking in the world. This win is massive for Nigerian football, especially after missing out on the last two editions. I'm very happy with our performance and the win."

Rallying the Team Against the Odds

As captain, Nduka played a pivotal role in guiding his team through a high-pressure encounter against a formidable Ghanaian side. On overcoming the challenge, he explained: "We had to come together as a team, holding discussions and agreeing on what we wanted to achieve. Despite not converting our chances in Ghana, we managed to share the spoils there.

"Back home, we consolidated on that result with a decisive win. It was a good performance from everyone—from the boys to the entire team."

Mental Fortitude and Rivalry Management

The CHAN qualifiers always carry an extra edge, especially against historical rivals like Ghana. For Nduka, mental and physical preparation was key: "We knew it was a rivalry game. Ghana may be our brothers off the pitch, but they’re fierce competitors on it. They believed history was on their side, having beaten us twice before.

"We ignored all the noise and focused solely on the game. By doing so, we achieved our goal."

Togetherness: The Secret to Success

Asked what set this squad apart from those that missed out on the last two editions, Nduka highlighted unity and meritocracy:  "What sets this team apart is togetherness. We have one goal, one mind, and a lot of love within the group. Everyone earned their place based on merit, thanks to the coaches' fair selection process.

"The support from the NFF also played a crucial role. They gave us the platform and privilege to showcase our talent, and that’s been instrumental."

Eyes on the Prize: Ambitions for CHAN 2025

Now that Nigeria has secured its place in the CHAN tournament, Nduka is setting his sights high: "Our ambition is clear—we’re going to CHAN 2025 to win. Football has three phases: preparation, execution, and results.

"We’re not going there to make up the numbers. We want to build on this performance, raise the intensity, and meet the expectations that come with representing Nigeria."

A Leader with a Vision

Junior Nduka’s passion, humility, and leadership are setting the tone for a Super Eagles B side determined to bring glory to Nigeria. As CHAN 2025 approaches, fans can expect this team, under their captain’s guidance, to rise to the occasion and compete with pride.