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.
International Football
Former Chelsea manager, Pochettino takes over US men’s team
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named new coach of the United States men’s team, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.
Pochettino, who parted ways with Premier League side Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The Argentine, a former Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager, said his decision to join U.S. soccer was not just about football, but about the journey the country was on and he could not pass up the opportunity.
“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” he said in a statement.
“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino was a “serial winner with a deep passion for developing players”.
“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
The U.S. have been without a permanent coach since a humiliating early exit from the Copa America on home soil in July led to the sacking of Gregg Berhalter after his second stint as head coach.
The 51-year-old boss was first appointed in 2018 and led the Americans to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, but just weeks later found himself embroiled in a bitter public row with one of the team’s brightest emerging talents, Gio Reyna.
U.S. Soccer’s search for a new coach when Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022 included names such as Canada coach Jesse Marsch, but they ultimately rehired Berhalter in June last year with the full support of the players.
However, it proved unsuccessful as the U.S. failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Copa America after a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama and a crushing 1-0 loss to Uruguay.
Pochettino will take over after Mikey Varas, who has been appointed interim coach, oversaw friendlies against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday.
The U.S. drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati after Christian Pulisic’s goal was cancelled out by Ben Waine’s late equaliser.
The U.S. will next play friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 and Mexico three days later.
-Reuters
International Football
BREAKING – Video: Osimhen accepts to join Galatasaray
At last, Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen is out of the limbo. He has accepted to join Galatasaray on loan.
He is now asking for a release clause at Napoli to become €75m instead of €130m
He also wants a break clause for January in case top clubs approach him over move.
The final points are being discussed. He has been videoed celebrating with the Turkey club’s fans.
International Football
Uruguay striker Suarez to play last international match on Friday
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.
The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.
“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” an emotional Suarez told a press conference.
“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.
“It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker added.
Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.
Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.
“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.
“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.
“I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.”
Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
-Reuters
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