Nigeria clash with Ghana in winner-take-all affairs at MKO Abiola Stadium to determine who guarantees a spot at this year’s 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria host Ghana in one of the biggest matches in the country’s footballing history after a thrilling goalless draw in Kumasi and in front of a 60,000 capacity crowd on Tuesday.
It represents another biggest day in the Super Eagles’ history as both Nigerians at home and diaspora are highly expectant as Nigeria yet on the threshold of making another history.
For Coach Augustine Eguavoen, the day represents a turning point in his coaching career as he can become only the third indigenous man, after the late Coach Shuaibu Amodu and Stephen Keshi (also late) to have qualified the team for the global showpiece, if he leads the Super Eagles to pick the World Cup ticket today.
“I am not under any pressure. Yes, I am representing all Nigerian coaches and we want to be in Qatar. When we cross the line, everybody will jubilation.” Augustine Eguavoen said.
Also, Captain Ahmed Musa told thenff.com
“All the players, including myself, want to go to the World Cup. For me, it is very important because it could be my last World Cup. I enjoyed the last two finals that I participated in, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018.
“I want to experience it again. Most of the players in the present squad have not been to the World Cup and they desire to be there.”
“We all know it won’t be easy. Ghana will come here to do battle but we are ready for whatever they turn up with. I will not say more than that.”
Nigeria have been at every FIFA World Cup finals since 1994, bar the 2006 edition in Germany.
Nigeria(6) are only behind Cameroon(7) for most represented African nation in the history of the FIFA World Cup, with the players highly determined to put up a performance that will earn Nigeria a seventh appearance at football’s biggest houseparty since her 1994 debut and also her fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup, having participated in 2010 (South Africa), 2014 (Brazil) and in 2018 (Russia).
History about to repeat itself!
The last time both countries were involved in a FIFA World Cup qualifying was in 2001, when they finished 0-0 in Accra and Nigeria swept aside their visitors 3-0 in Port Harcourt in July 2001 to qualify for Korea/Japan.
The two West African giants trade tackles in MKO stadium with all to play for in the second leg as the winners pick up one of the continent’s five tickets to Qatar 2022 which Kick-off in November.