By Daily Sports NigeriaPreview By Victor Enyinnaya, Lagos with additional Report From Ogie Osagie, Beni on March 25, 2022

The dice is cast as the much awaited winner takes all World Cup 2022 play- off between Nigeria and arch rival, Ghana is finally here and so the crunchy critical showdown first leg is focus in all fronts.

Both countries have been under intensive searchlight and preparations for this game and are making efforts to get good result in the encounter. Tension no doubt is in both camps and bookmakers are not ruling out the issue of much being expected.

It will no doubt be a difficult match and tactical too. The technical crew will have much in their hands to thinker about and get it right immediately the referee signals the kick-off of proceedings.

Ghana is arms to the teeth as host and would do anything gamely or otherwise to intimidate their guest but   how effective that would have on the Super Eagles would remain to be seen as the two teams try each other for size.

Ghana has invited her best legs for today’s crucial match and has never hidden her intention to whoever that cared to listen of that mission.

After the initial hide and seek game by the technical crew, everything is now in the public domain, meaning the hen is home to roost. This preview would not go way back on the either head to head or otherwise of Ghana/Nigeria past encounters. What is important is the present and how each country is poised to go about picking the ticket from this double header game that will land the winner in Qatar November 2022 World Cup summit amongst other countries.

As the game of wits and brawns holds today in Kumasi Stadium today both team will focus on the tricks that would bring confusion into one another’s formation. The setting will be too tight technically and tactically however carefulness by both sides won’t also be ruled out.

One won’t expect less fire works in this meet that holds much for both divide. Ghana has been talking tough on this make or mar game and her best legs are already roaring to go. It won’t be child’s play and the host country is not leaving anything for chance and has not hidden such.

As host country for today’s first tie, it will bring all to bear to cash in and do the damage so as to make second leg mere formality for them. It will be an uphill task and the host is aware of that. Their day’s opponent is never an easy nut to crack way back and it still persists.

Ghana will be agog today. Fans will troop out to cheer their idol team the Black Stars to victory over their Super Eagles counterpart. How the team will go about will be seen today 90 minutes duration will tell.

On the other hand Nigeria being represented by the Super Eagles will be equal to the task and never afraid of the consequences therefore. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Sports Minister have been up and doing in this all important project. To that effect, it went further to visit the players while the Sports Minister spoke to the players individually via zoom.

That showed a lot and gave more confidence to the players.  It also went step further to beef up the Eagles technical crew with the appointment with the inclusion of Emmanuel Amuneke an ex-international and former Africa Footballer of the Year 1994. Though, Ghana on head to head rule is better than Nigeria 18-10 but most times such record never matters once the players focus on the present. Truth is that it is time for crunch Nigeria and Ghana on the road to Qatar. The fittest will get upper hand no doubt.

New but fit players were invited into the team, also the players that could not make it to the last AFCON summit in Cameroon like Igalo, Victor, Etebo etc are currently in the camp for this Ghana now or never encounter. It is already a full camp except Winfred Ndidi knocked down by injury.

In short, Nigeria camp is bubbling and in high spirit too and baring any unforeseen circumstances, the Super Eagles are good to go. To put icing to these NFF had earlier dispatched Aish Falode and executive committee member of NFF to Kumasi to ascertain the stability or otherwise of the pitch and the committee has since submitted its report and the match is holding there.

One therefore believes that Eguaveon and Amuneke will put their eyes on the ball and make first rate selection of first eleven players that would withstand whatever intimidation the Black Stars would flout and one is in great mood to believe that Super Eagles players are matured enough to overcome any form of that and as such won’t be caught off guard by their host.

The Eagles players have seen its all and will not be bordered a hoot. Focus concentration, thoroughness, zeal and determination will see the Eagles through this first leg. It won’t be business as usual but a serious game in all ramifications. Super Eagles must have at the back of their mind that  a great showing in the first leg will make the return leg in Abuja three days later a little less tension not that Ghana will not come here fighting from all cylinders.

Daily Sports wish the Super Eagles great outing in this showdown in this nitty-gritty showpiece where prestige and pride are fully involved. 

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted March 25, 2022

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