SPORTS

NIGERIA TO MEET GHANA IN AFRICAN WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS

NIGERIA TO MEET GHANA IN AFRICAN WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS
Spread the love

Wayne Lumbasi

Ghana’s Black Stars will face their long-standing opponents the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their decisive 2022 World Cup playoff later this month to decide which country among the two would take one of the five tickets reserved for Africa at the tournament to be held in Qatar later this year.

Ghana and Nigeria are both sailing on similar waters, and are facing the same challenges and expectations. For many, the build-up to this top-of-the-line match is the ideal formula for a tempestuous clash.

Nigeria’s forward Samuel Chukwueze (L) celebrates with Nigeria’s forward Kelechi Iheanacho after scoring the opening goal during the Group D Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Nigeria and Sudan at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on January 15, 2022. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP)

Nigeria, currently ranked as the third on the continent, will take on the Ghanaian team that is still reeling from the sting of its most recent AFCON disaster. Nigeria will be heading into Ghana for the opening phase of the match, before hosting their opponents just a few days later to wrap up the World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana will play host to Nigeria on the 25th of March, The Black Stars will visit the Super Eagles four days later on the 29th of March.

Ghana Black stars /Gfa communications/

Both teams have played 49 times over the course of 72 years, with Ghana winning 21 times versus Nigeria’s 10. They’ve drawn 18 times. The Super Eagles have not defeated Ghana for 15 years and did not defeat their counterparts the Black Stars for 12 years before 2007. The last time the two teams met was in 2011, in a friendly international game that ended in a draw.

About Author

Wayne Lumbasi