FIFA WCQ: Ghana vs Nigeria: A match in March that takes much
Ghana versus Nigeria? A football rivalry that will go down in history as arguably the best in Africa. Who would have thought that a country who shares borders with Burkina Faso, Togo and Ivory Coast would find solice in another country that is far away from them geographically, but that’s the beautiful story of Ghana and Nigeria, better put, cousins in everything they do.
When the draw for the play offs were made in January, the Internet spaces crashed because Ghana had been paired with Nigeria and at the time Ghanaian musician Shatta Wale and Nigeria’s Burna Boy were engaged in beef as to who was lyrically good and so the two nations had to react to the draw if there was anything to go by with these two musicians.
Completely unrelated, Jollof has absolutely nothing to do with football but then such a fierce rivalry clash get labelled by something so unconnected. In recent times, Ghana and Nigeria have become the ambassadors of jollof rice fuelling a ‘Jollof war’ between both countries.
Each country believes they make the best Jollof and this is an argument that has been ongoing for years now with the cuisine dispute usually at its peak every August 22 which marks the celebration of “World Jollof Day”.
Match Facts and Statistics
Ghana recorded their worst ever campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations, where they suffered a shock group-stage exit after picking up just one point from three games in Group C.
Having lost 1-0 against Morocco in their opening game, the Black Stars played out a 1-1 draw with Gabon in their second outing before suffering a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the hands of debutants Comoros in the group finale.
Ghana will now look to quickly put that poor run behind them as they turn their sights to the World Cup qualifying playoffs, where they have been drawn against West African rivals Nigeria after narrowly clinching first place in Group G of the qualifiers.
Having picked up 10 points from their opening five games, Otto Addo’s men needed all three points in their final group game against South Africa on November 14 to progress to the next phase of the qualifiers.
Captain Andre Ayew calmly converted his 33rd-minute penalty to send Ghana top of the group, leapfrogging the Bafana Bafana on goal difference and zoomed into the playoffs.
While Ghana will be looking to pick up where they dropped off in their bid for a place in Qatar, they have struggled to get going in recent outings, losing three and claiming one draw from their most recent four games.
Meanwhile, Nigeria went unbeaten in all but one of their six games in the World Cup qualifiers, picking up four wins and one draw to collect 13 points to finish top of Group C, two points above runners-up Cape Verde.
The Super Eagles’ only defeat came at the hands of Central African Republic back in October, when Karl Namnganda scored a 90th-minute winner to hand the visitors a shock victory.
Nigeria head into Friday’s game fresh off the back of a last-16 exit from the Africa Cup of Nations after they suffered a 1-0 loss against Tunisia courtesy of Youssef Msakni’s solitary strike.
Prior to that defeat, Augustine Eguavoen’s side were on a six-game unbeaten run, claiming one draw and five wins, including three in their three AFCON group-stage games.
While Nigeria will be looking to quickly return to winning ways, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in each of the most recent four meetings between the sides, losing three and claiming one draw since a 1-0 victory back in 2006.
Form Guide
Ghana
World Cup Qualifying Form
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All competitions
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Nigeria
World Cup Qualifying Form
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All Competitions
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Team News
Ghana will be led by interim manager Otto Addo following the dismissal of Milovan Rajevac by the Ghana Football Association back in January due to their underwhelming run at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Addo has called up a youthful 27-man squad, including Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus, Arsenal star Thomas Partey and Roma’s Felix Afena-Gyan.
The Black Stars will miss captain Andre Ayew who is suspended while Rennes talented winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is absent from the squad because of injury.
The coach handed debut call ups to Begian Jupiler League duo Denis Odoi and Elisha Owusu of Club Brugge and KAA Gent respectively, Roma youngster Felix Afena-Gyan and Dennis Korsah of Accra Hearts of Oak.
Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew is in the squad after testing negative for Covid.
Edmund Addo is also out of the tie after picking up an injury in with his club Sherif.
Everton’s Ademola Lookman also received his debut call up for the Super Eagles as Lorient midfielder Innocent Bonke also comes in to the squad in place of Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who suffered a knee injury in the 2-1 defeat against Rennes in a Europa Conference League on March 17.
Alex Iwobi will also miss the tie because of suspension after picking up a red card in the AFCON.
The 24-year-old adds to the Super Eagles’ already formidable attacking unit and could team up with Iheanacho and in-form Napoli man Victor Osimhen in the final third.
Ghana possible starting lineup:
4-2-3-1
Ofori; Mensah, Aidoo, Djiku, Amartey; Partey, Iddrisu; Kyereh, Kudus, Paintsil; Afena Gyan
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
4-4-2
Akpeyi, Sanusi, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Aina, Onyeka, Aribo, Simon, Chukwueze, Dennis, Osimhen
What They Said
Otto Addo – Head Coach, Ghana
“We all expect Ghana to qualify for the FIFA World Cup (Qatar 2022) but that won’t be easy as we need to do our best to make it to this tournament,” the former Ghana international winger Addo said.
“Matches between Ghana and Nigeria are always difficult but we believe in our players, we believe in our strategies, and we believe in the unflinching support of all Ghanaians as we go into these two matches.”
Augustine Eguavoen – Head Coach, Nigeria
“It’s a very crucial match, a lot is at stake. The most important thing is to qualify for the World Cup. We have a strong squad and a large pool of players to choose from. The boys are sharp and ready to go. We have to win well against Ghana to get over the line. We will do the talking on the pitch.”
Prediction
Ghana 2-1 Nigeria
