Nigeria and Ghana have been at odds over everything, from which country makes the greatest jollof rice to which country has the best music and culture. This rivalry is much more intense in football, especially given that both countries will compete in two-legged playoffs for a spot in Qatar 2022. The first leg of the game will take place in Ghana on Friday, March 25th, 2022, with the second leg happening three days later in Nigeria.
While the Super Eagles are hoping to defeat the Black Stars and advance to their seventh World Cup, Ghana will be looking to make their fourth appearance and their first since the 2014 tournament. The match between Ghana and Nigeria is one of five play-off matches that will determine Africa’s representatives at the World Cup finals in Qatar later this year.
Here are four talking points to consider ahead of the crucial meetings between the two nations:
1. New Leadership – A lot is riding on Ghana’s new coaching staff. Ghana quickly appointed former Borussia Dortmund defender Otto Addo as their new coach, and former Brighton manager Chris Hughton as their technical advisor, following their early withdrawal from the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon. The trio are expected to lead the Black Stars past the Super Eagles, alongside former Dutch international George Boateng and Didi Dramani.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced a change in its technical team a few days after the AFCON competition, officially appointing Augustine Eguavoen, Emmanuel Amuneke, Salisu Yussuf, Alloy Agu, and Joseph Yobo as the new members to guide the Super Eagles through the World Cup playoff versus Ghana.
Failure to qualify for the World Cup finals would most certainly mean the end of the journey for one technical team.
2. Wilfred Ndidi’s absence – Super Eagles midfield powerhouse, Wilfred Ndidi is one player who will be sorely missed in the crucial matches. On Thursday, March 17th, 2022, the midfielder suffered an injury in Leicester City’s Europa Conference League match against Rennes. Lorient midfielder Innocent Bonke has already taken Ndidi’s place.
Bonke, a 26-year-old Kaduna native, signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with FC Loriente from Malmo FF in Sweden back in January 2022. He is no stranger to the Super Eagles squad, having made his debut in a 2-1 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde away on September 7, 2021.
Bonke is strong and impressive, but he is no ‘Wilf,’ and the Black Stars will undoubtedly try to take advantage of his presence in the squad, if he gets to start.
3. Welcome Back Ighalo and Osimhen – After missing out on the final AFCON team in January 2022, the Super Eagles now have two of Africa’s best finishers in Victor Osimhen and Odion Ighalo back, who are poised to play against the Black Stars. Ighalo was left off the AFCON 2021 roster list after his Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab refused to let him to compete. Meanwhile, Amaju Pinnick, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), revealed that Victor Osimhen had requested to be removed from the AFCON squad because he would not be able to offer his best.
Following outstanding performances in their respective clubs, Nigerians are now looking forward to seeing both players play for the Super Eagles against the Black Stars of Ghana.
4. The Black Stars roll the dice – After weeks of speculation, Otto Addo has finally named his 27-man squad for the playoffs against the Super Eagles.
Three debutants, Dennis Korsah, Denis Odoi, and Elisha Owusu, are among the 27 players invited. Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey, and Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew are among the other players in the squad. Captain Andre Ayew has been ruled out after collecting a straight red in the AFCON finals.
