International Football
Points of interest ahead of Nigeria-Ghana World Cup play-off
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
To be or not to be? To qualify or to drop out. These are the posers hanging over the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana as they go head-on collision to decide which of the two goes to the World Cup finals in November.
Both countries have 71 years of intense rivalry. Yet, none of the past 59 matches holds greater importance than this Tuesday’s match. It decides which team goes to the World Cup.
Yet, this is not the only World Cup fixture that ever pitched the two. But this is the only one in which both sides have almost equal chances of picking the ticket. A goalless draw will see the match going into penalties.
A score draw gives the advantage to Ghana. It is a win that Nigeria need to be at Qatar 2022. As usual, Sports Village Square takes an in-depth look at the match and comes out with the following points of interest.
- This is Super Eagles’ 112th match in the history of FIFA World Cup series. Only Morocco who go for their 120th game when they host DR Congo on Tuesday have more qualifying matches than Nigeria in the African series of the World Cup qualification. Like Nigeria, Tunisia who host Mali will also be going for their 112th match. As for Ghana Black Stars, the Abuja match marks their 90th World Cup qualifying duel.
- This match is Super Eagles’ first competitive appearance at the Abuja stadium in 11 years. The last time the Super Eagles played there was on 8 October 2011 when they drew 2-2 with Guinea in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
- Nigeria has never lost a World Cup match at the Abuja stadium after beating Rwanda 2-0 and Algeria 1-0 in 2004; Zimbabwe 5-1 in 2005; South Africa 2-0. Equatorial Guinea 2-0, Sierra Leone 4-1 all in 2008; Kenya 3-0, Tunisia 2-2 and Mozambique 1-0 all in 2009.
- The last time the Black Stars played a World Cup qualifying match in Nigeria, they lost 3-0 and the Super Eagles qualified. That was in the edition of 20 years ago. Will history repeat itself?
- The first goal of an international match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja was scored by a Ghanaian. He is Patrick Agyemany who opened scoring in an eventual 3-1 defeat of Ghana by Nigeria on 30 May 2003.
- Nigeria had picked qualifying tickets at home on four occasions. Those were for the editions of France ‘98, Korea/Japan 2002, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018. The other two instances – USA’94 and South Africa 2010 were achieved away from home. Ghana on the other hand had picked qualifying ticket away from home twice when they beat Cape Verde 4-0 in Praia to qualify for the first time in 2006 and Cairo when they lost 1-2 to Egypt but qualified on 7-3 aggregate for Brazil 2014. The qualification for South Africa 2010 was achieved at their ‘sacred’ Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi after a 2-2 draw with Mali.
- Both Nigeria and Ghana had their debut World Cup qualifying ties facing each other on 28 August 1960.
- They last crossed each other’s path in the 2002 World Cup qualification.
- Nigeria’s legendary goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala had his baptism in World Cup qualifying series when Nigeria faced Ghana on 10 February 1973.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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