Since the memorable penalty shoot-out in South Africa 2010 between Ghana and Uruguay, both nations have faced very differently in the last eleven years. While Uruguay has been in and about the big names in South America, Ghana has had a nosedive in the last decade.
Losing on penalties, Ghana missed a chance to become the first African side to make it to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup. With the World Cup in Qatar fast approaching, Ghana face Nigeria in an attempt to qualify to the biggest football stage.
Nigeria didn’t have a good outing at the AFCON 2021, losing 0 – 1 to Tunisia in the Round of 16 after winning all their games in the group stage. The Super Eagles defeated Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau in the Group Stage. They were also tipped as one of the favourites to win the tournament but Tunisia stopped the Eagles’ flight.
Ghana will host Nigeria on 25th March 2022 in Kumasi. The Cape Coast stadium was initially proposed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) but inspectors from CAF rejected the stadium stating that the pitch was in poor condition. Four days later, the Super Eagles host the Black Stars in Abuja in what will be the deciding game on who qualifies for Qatar 2022.
The GFA are yet to release their 25-man squad list to face Nigeria, who already have theirs released. Alex Iwobi faces a three-game suspension and FC Copehengan midfielder, Akinwunmi Amoo was called up for the first time.
Amoo, 19 is a creative midfielder and is currently the youngest in the Eagles’ squad.
The big miss for Nigeria is Wilfred Ndidi who sustained a knee injury in Leicester’s 1 – 2 loss to Rennes in France. Innocent Bonke of FC Lorient has been called up as Ndidi’s replacement.
The Super Eagles boast of a lot of talents with Victor Osimehin scoring four goals in two goals, raking his Seria A fully for Napoli to score 10 goals.
Other exciting players include; Moses Simon of FC Nantes, Samuel Chukwueze of Villareal, Leon Balogun of Glasgow Rangers, Joe Aribo of Glasgow Rangers and Kelechi Iheanacho pf Leicester City.
A group of Nigerian fans are a little unhappy about the fact no home-based player was invited to the Eagles’ camp. Others believe it’s a matter of the utmost importance and that the coaching crew should only select the best and not try experimenting with new invites like Amoo and Ademola Lookman.
