By Akinwale Kasali
After 90 minutes of pulsating encounter at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana, the Black Stars of Ghana proved their mettle as no pushover to their West African neighbours and rival, Nigeria as they held on for a stalemate in the Qatar 2022 Qualification Playoffs.
As expected, the Ghanaians came all out against the Nigerians firing from all cylinders, and controlled the game all through the first 45 minutes putting their opponents under pressure. But, the Coach Augustine Eguavoen team held on.
The Nigeria Coaching crew started the match with Francis Uzoho in goal, Leon Balogun, William Troost Ekong, Zaidu Sanusi and Olaoluwa Aina started as the back four.
Joe Aribo, Innocent Bonke, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon were in the heart of the midfield with Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen playing upfront.
The Super Eagles best chance of the match was the save by Ghanaian goalkeeper, Wollacott, as Simon lashed his shot on the heels of the goalkeeper.
At the other end of the pitch, the Ghanaians kept Uzoho busy, as he was forced to make crucial saves.
Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey made their Super Eagles debut as they were brought in for Zaidu Sanusi and Moses Simon respectively.
The stalemate gives the Super Eagles an advantage going into the second leg scheduled for Tuesday 29th March, 2022 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria by 5pm.
The Super Eagles needs an outright win against the Black Stars to book a place in the world soccer showpiece slated for November 2022 in Qatar.
Other playoff matches in Africa saw 2021 African Cup of Nations Bronze medalist, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon losing at home to the Desert Eagles of Algeria 1-0 in Yaoundé.
The Carthage Eagles recorded an away win against the Eagles of Mali at the Bamako International Stadium, Mali by a lone goal, while the Atlas Lions of Morocco got a late equalizer to end their encounter with the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-1 in Kinshasha, the country’s Capital.
Mohammed Salah’s Pharaohs of Egypt got their 2021 AFCON final revenge against the Teranga Lions of Senegal at the Military Stadium in Cairo, Egypt by recording a 1-0 victory going into the second leg.
