IN RETROSPECT: 62 YEARS OF NIGERIA VS GHANA RIVALRY

2 min read

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria takes on Black Stars of Ghana in today’s World Cup play-off at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, here’s a retrospective look at a few encounter of about 60 years ago, between the two countries at this level of the world cup qualifier and an attempt to forecast which direction the pendulum is most likely to swing.

In the first-ever World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Ghana played on 27th August 1960, to determine who qualifies for the 1962 World Cup in Chile, the first leg ended in favour of Ghana with four goals to one victory

In the second leg played on 10^th September 1960, the match ended with two goals on each side.

Another encounter was on the 10^th May 1969, in a qualifier match for the 1970 World Cup hosted in Mexico City. In the first leg match played in Lagos, Nigeria defeated Ghana by two goals to one and on the 18th of May 1969, when the return leg was played in Accra, the Black stars and the Green Eagles played a one-one goal on both sides

In 1970, a world cup qualifier match for the qualification of the tournament finals hosted in Germany on 10^th February 1973, took place in Lagos and Accra.

At the first leg in Lagos, the Green Eagles lost at home to the Black Stars of Ghana by three goals to two. At the second leg in Accra, Ghana held Nigeria to a goalless draw.

Also, in the first leg for the 2002 Korea/ Japan World Cup qualifier; in the first leg played in Accra Stadium, on the 10th of March 2001, the Black Stars of Ghana and Nigeria’s Super Eagles played out to a goalless draw while on the 28th of July 2001, the Super Eagles of thrashed the Black Stars of Ghana by three goals to nothing.

The 90 minutes duel on the pitch today, will decide where the pendulum will swing.

By the SPORTS CORRESPONDENT, OMOKAYODE MUSE