The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Ghana in the clash of Africa’s finest for a place at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup when both sides meet for their qualification playoff match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
In the first leg, Nigeria were held 0-0 by Ghana in Kumasi as both sides took a cautious approach to the game. The tension associated with the matches between the West African heavyweights has never been higher, as both pride and bragging rights will be at stake.
Nigeria will be looking to earn a seventh FIFA World Cup finals appearance when they battle the Black Stars of Ghana at the Abuja Stadium. The second leg will kick off by 06:00 pm (WAT/Nigerian time), on Tuesday.
Preview
M A T C H D A Y! 🔥
🏟️ Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja
🆚 #Ghana
⏲️6.00pm
📲 #NGAGHA #SoarSuperEagles
#2022WCQ pic.twitter.com/uod5Y7etxv— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 29, 2022
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen should be in line for a start. Hopefully, we would see the pairing of Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho up front in attack.
Former England youth striker Ademola Lookman, who switched allegiance in time for the playoffs against Ghana to boost the attacking line up, could also feature in the starting lineup.
Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen gave updates on injured players, as Samuel Chukwueze and Innocent Bonke face late fitness tests
“Injuries to Samuel Chukwueze and Innocent Bonke have taken the two to isolation. Chukwueze had a scan, the result hasn’t come, Bonke is not participating this evening (traning), he had a knock and he’s over stretched,” Eguavoen said.
“You know the boy worked so well in Kumasi. The medical team is still working on them. We are expecting reports from the medical team,” Eguavoen added.
“Once they get that to me, then we will know whether they will be on the pitch. But we have enough personnel in the team than can do the job.”
In the absence of the substantive captain the Black Stars will turn to Arsenal superstar Thomas Partey for inspiration as they seek an emphatic home victory over their arch-rivals.
Ghana Coach Addo believes the Black Stars can score a vital away goal against the Super Eagles in Abuja on Tuesday.
“We had some chances (in the first leg), we had situations where the last pass was missing,” Ghana coach Otto Addo said. “If we improve on that, you will see us scoring.”
“To be honest, i don’t think we are better than Nigeria, but i don’t think they are better than us. It will be very very equal. But what i can say is that if we score one goal, it would hurt them more than it would hurt us if they score.”
Head To Head
Ghana has the head-to-head advantage over the Super Eagles, having won 25 of their 57 previous clashes with 20 ending in draws. However, the Super Eagles will be counting on home advantage to give them the leverage over the Black Stars.
Nigeria have won three of their past five matches and drawn two with the other ending in a defeat, while their opponents on Tuesday lost three games, drew two and won one. The match will most likely be won by the most determined team on Tuesday evening as matches between the two West African giants know no form guide.
