The Black Stars of Ghana will take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria tomorrow at the Baba Yara stadium in a crunch Qatar 2022 World Cup play-off game.
Both teams were drawn against each other in January this year after both nations topped their respective groups in the group stage games.
In the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying group stage games, both nations played six games respectively en route to the play-off. Both teams qualified to the play-off top of their group with 13 points each. Nigeria in Group C played with Cape Verde, Liberia and Central African Republic while Ghana battled it out against South Africa, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe in Group G. But how will they fare against each other?
HEAD TO HEAD
The rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria dates back to 1950 where they played in a friendly game which ended
1-0 in favor of Ghana in Accra. Overall, 56 games have been played between the nations with Ghana having the upper hand with 25. 12 games have gone in favor of the Super Eagles with 19 ending in drawn results.
However, the story is a different one when the argument is placed into the context of FIFA World Cup Qualifying games. A total of eight games have been played with both countries winning two apiece. The rest ended in a stalement with both teams scoring 11 goals within that period.
A total of 23 games have been played in Ghana with the Black Stars winning 16, drawing nine and losing just once to Nigeria(15 December 2002). Ghana has played against Nigeria at the Baba Yara stadium twice and has won all games. The first game was in 1963 during the Nkrumah Cup semifinals. Ghana won 5-0. The second was in 1990. It was the 1992 AFCON qualifiers. Ghana won 1-0.
However, the Black Stars have never won a game played in the month of March. Four games have been played between the countries in the month of March. Nigeria has won 1 with the rest ending in a draw.
FORM GUIDE
Ghana and Nigeria have been competitive in the last six months engaging in World Cup qualifiers and in the just ended AFCON. Ghana had their worst ever AFCON campaign when they failed to win a single game in a group having Morocco, Gabon and Comoros. Nigeria on the other hand qualified to the round of 16 of the AFCON after picking up all nine points in a group containing Sudan, Egypt and Guinea Bissau. However, they were eliminated by Tunisia in the last 16 with a 1-0 scoreline.
The visitors have lost just twice in their last 10 games. They have won seven and drawn just once. The lost came against Central African Republic 0-1 in the World Cup qualifiers group stage game and recently to Tunisia in the AFCON. They have scored 15 goals and conceded 5 goals in that period.
The 2010 quarter-finalists in the World Cup, Ghana have also won four, lost four and drawn two in their last 10 games. They lost to South Africa, Algeria, Morocco and Comoros. The draws came against Ethiopia and Gabon. In the 10 games period, Ghana has conceded 11 goals and scored 10 goals.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Otto Addo and Austin Eguavoen have named their squad ahead of the important clash. Ghana are without key playera like captain, Andre Ayew (suspended), Baba Rahman(injured) and Kamaldeen Suleyman(injured). However, Arsenal talisman, Thomas Partey will take up the leadership role to lead his team. Jordan Ayew is fit for the game together with Kudus Mohammed and Fatawu Ishahaku. AS Roma youngster, Felix Afena Gyan will be hoping to have an awesome debut for Ghana. The centre back partnership between Leicester’s Daniel Amartey and Alexander Djiku will keep the Nigerians away.
The Super Eagles on the other hand will depend on their attacking prowess. Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, Sadiq Umar, Odion Ighalo, and Kelechi Iheanacho have combined goals of 78 for their respective clubs this season. In the heart of defence, William Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo wil be pillars for the Eagles.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.
Assistant captain for the Black Stars, Thomas Teye Partey says the Black Stars will do their best to beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
“We all know what we have. We have a lot of big talents and young players coming up, and i know Ghanaians demand a lot from us. Going out tomorrow, we are going to give our best. We believe in each other, i believe in the coach, i believe in the system he wants us to play and I think we are ready for them.” He said.
Head Coach Otto Addo also says ” We had enough time to train, the players are ready and they are in a good shape. We needed to do some secretly tactical training and the players have adapted quickly and we are ready”
Attacker for Nigeria, Ahmed Musa has assured Nigerians of success. “The last time the tournament( AFCON 2021) was not good for all Nigerians. They are very sad but there is nothing we can do because this is football. So we just have to pay them with this. We need to qualify to Qatar.” He said in a press conference in Nigeria.
CENTER MAN FOR THE DAY
Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed has been appointed as the center man for the game. He last officiated Ghana’s 1-0 win over Ethiopia in this year’s world cup qualifying group stage game. This will be the second time he will be handling Ghana’s game in 6 months. He officiated 3 games in AFCON 2021 including the 3rd placed game between Burkina Faso and Cameroon. He has officiated a total of 10 games this season. (AFCON, CAF Champions League, Botala Pro) and have shown a total of 47 yellow cards and1 red card this season.
Source: Ghana/starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/ James Ohenba Mckeown
