President of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick admitted that the World Cup playoff is “war” and that everything legal and acceptable will be done for the Super Eagles to achieve victory.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana Will rekindle their rivalry in an epic 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier. (Getty Images)
Nigeria and Ghana had never engaged in conventional warfare, but it is always a fierce battle between the two West Africa neighbours when it comes to the game of football.
The Ghana vs Nigeria football rivalry is among the oldest and most proliferate rivalries in African football.(Getty Images)
With the pairing of Nigeria’s Super Eagles against the Black Stars of Ghana, it means only one of the countries will get the slot to represent Africa in Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup which kicks off in November.
On Wednesday, during a meeting with members of the NFF Executive Committee and management inside the NFF Secretariat, Pinnick admitted that the World Cup playoff match is a “war” that must be approached with utmost commitment, focus, and zero tolerance for tardiness.
“Of course, we are not the ones going into the field. But the arrangements we put in place will, to a large extent, determine the spirit with which the players will enter the pitch. All our arrangements must be flawless and without sloppiness. It is a FIFA World Cup ticket at stake, so we must give it our all.
“Whatever efforts we have been making to ensure seamless movement to and fro, as well as accommodation of our contingent at major matches, must be doubled for the match in Kumasi. Nigerians don’t want to hear any story; they only want to see the World Cup ticket.”
The first leg of the all-important FIFA World Cup Qualifiers between the two countries will take place at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana on Friday while the second leg is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The winner of the tie will represent Africa alongside four other African countries at the World Cup finals in Qatar