WCQ: Nigeria Takes Advantage To Abuja After Dead Rubber In Ghana

Ghana and Nigeria drew 0-0 in the last round of the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup on March 25 in Kumasi.

The result weighs on the side of Nigeria for the return match scheduled for March 29 in Abuja. Spectators at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi were just waiting to explode with joy. Instead, they witnessed a stalemate. Maybe not in every sense of the word. But this West African derby, between two bigwigs of African football, did not stick to its promises on March 25.

Fans had to wait for the 33rd minute and a superb control by the Ghanaian prodigy Felix Afena, who returned to Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, to see the latter dispatch a spectacular half-volley, but Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was attentive.

The Super Eagles, on the other hand, depended on counter-attacks and the speed of players like striker Victor Osimhen and winger Moses Simon. An Osimhen tried his luck with a 37th minute strike, but he was unbalanced, and his shot, too soft.

Moses Simon equally tested the reflexes of Black Stars goalkeeper Joe Wollacott at the 55th minute, but Wallocot saved, once more.

Uzoho and Wollacott turned out to be the big actors of the evening, finally.

The video assistant referee stepped into the game at some point.

It was at the 77th minute, as the center referee Redouane Jiyed canceled a penalty he had awarded to the Nigerians, for a hand from Iddrisu Baba in the area. Ghanaian fans could breathe: their hope for qualification for the next Football World Cup (November 21-December 18, 2022 in Qatar) had just been reignited.

But the Nigerian selection will left with a small advantage as the two teams are set to meet in Abuja on March 29th.