By Akinwale Kasali
The crucial double header between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana for the qualification ticket for Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup is just days away. Invited Super Eagles players have started arriving camp for the match.
William Troost Ekong, Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Ahmed Musa, Odion Jude Ighalo, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Frank Onyeka were early birds at the Abuja camp of the team.
The other players are expected to hit camp for the make or mar match between Monday and Tuesday as the team is expected to jet out on chartered flight to Kumasi, Ghana for the first leg of the encounter on Friday, 25th March, 2022.
The early arrival of players for the must-win Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup match against the Black Stars of Ghana highlights the importance the players attach to the match.
As at time of filing this report, the Ghana Football Association, GFA, is yet to release the list of players that will prosecute the encounter against the Three Time African Cup of Nations Champions.
It was gathered from the Ghanaian media the players are hit with sickness and injuries that may have forced the technical crew to make some last-minute changes.
Crystal Palace Football Club of England Striker, Jordan Ayew and debutant, Bristol City Football Club of England forward, Antoine Semenyo are major doubts for the 2022 World Cup play-off after encountering setbacks this past weekend.
Ayew, whose senior brother Andre Ayew is ruled out due to suspension, has contracted coronavirus and it’s likely that he would be replaced in the squad.
The Crystal Palace striker was not even named on the bench on Sunday morning as the Eagles thrashed Everton 4-0 to advance to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Ayew is a key player and his potential absence could affect the team’s chances of eliminating Nigeria.
For Semenyo, he suffered a knee injury while in action for Bristol City in the English Championship against Oluwasemilogo Ajayi’s Club side, West Bromwich Albion.
The attacker who has been handed his debut call-up for the crucial tie was substituted after just six minutes, and according to Bristol manager Nigel Pearson, the player is upset.
“I don’t know [the extent of the injury] at the moment but obviously he [Antoine Semenyo] is upset at the moment because he’s been called up for the Ghana squad and he’s jarred his knee so we’ll have to see how he is. I can’t give you any more than that at the moment,” Bristol manager Nigel Pearson had said.
These two players could be replaced as the Black Stars technical team prepares to address the nation on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, Black Stars interim coach Otto Addo is expecting a full house by the close of the day as the team prepares for the crucial World Cup playoff against Nigeria.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey who is expected to lead the team in the absence of Andre Ayew is expected to arrive in the country later Monday.
According to the GFA, the Black Stars will travel to Kumasi on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, to continue with preparations for the game.
The Super Eagles are expected to arrive in Ghana on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, with a chartered flight.
Nigeria will be missing the services of Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and Kenneth Omeruo due to injury.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen is expected to make changes to his squad to replace the injured players.
Ghana and Nigeria will be battling it out for one of the five tickets to represent Africa at the World Cup to be staged in Qatar.
