By Akinwale Kasali
The soccer rivalry between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana will be rekindled as both countries will lock horns for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup ticket in the final qualification playoff for the World Soccer fiesta.
After months of anxiety, the World Soccer Governing Body, the Federation International Football Association, FIFA, pitched the two West African neighbours.
The draw, held at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, saw the Five Time African Cup of Nations champions, Ghana, which, few hours ago sacked its Serbian Coach, Slovan Rajavaec, following the shambolic display of the Black Stars at the ongoing 2021 AFCON tournament In Cameroon, after suffering an historic defeat to lowly rated and debutants, Comoros Island, pitched against Nigeria.
The Super Eagles which has been flying high at the Continental showpiece after an impressive performance at the Group Stage, defeating AFCON favorites, the Pharaohs of Egypt, and already in the knockout stages where it would face the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the Round of 16.
The fixture against Ghana could be favourable to the three-time AFCON champions putting into consideration Ghana’s lackadaisical approach so far.
Nigeria could be said to be lucky not to be pitched against Egypt, which would have been working tirelessly to avenge the loss to Nigeria.
Interestingly, Liverpool stars, Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah will face each other in World Cup ticket playoff as the Teranga Lions of Senegal will face the Pharaohs of Egypt.
Ousted from the 2021 AFCON defending champion, Algeria, will face 2021 AFCON host, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, for the World Cup ticket. The first leg will take place in Yaoundé with the reverse fixture in Algiers.
Algeria will come all out to redeem its image after a disappointing outing at the African tournament.
Democratic Republic of Congo will face the Atlas Lions of Morocco for the ticket, as Coach Vahid Halilhodvic will throw in everything in its Arsenal to see his team make it to the World Cup in the Arab nation of Qatar.
In what could be a repeat of the Group F cracker at the ongoing 2021 AFCON tournament, the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia will face the Eagles of Mali for the World Cup ticket.
In Limbe, Cameroon, Mali defeated Tunisia 1-0 in the Group match to top the Group, and will be hoping to repeat that feat and feature in its first ever FIFA World Cup.
The winners of the five ties in March 2022 will reach the FIFA World Cup.
Egypt V Senegal
Cameroon V Algeria
Nigeria V Ghana
DR Congo V Morocco
Mali V Tunisia
