What to expect from the big World Cup playoff games between Ghana and Nigeria

All eyes will be on Cape Coast and Abuja in a few weeks when two of West Africa’s most powerful countries square off in two showdowns.

Nigeria and Ghana will face off in a two-legged playoff encounter in March for a spot in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The two meetings between the two West African powers are one of five playoff games in the CAF qualification division including African countries.

Head to head:

Ghana has the advantage here, with 21 victories to Nigeria’s 10. Indeed, the Super Eagles haven’t defeated the Black Stars since 2006.

The Black Stars have won three of the past four meetings between the two teams, with the fourth game ending in a stalemate.

Despite having a worse record, Nigeria is the favorite coming into the game due to their recent form.

Both teams competed in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, but Ghana did not advance from a group that included Comoros, Morocco, and Gabon.

Despite succumbing to Tunisia in the Round of 16, Nigeria demonstrated its quality by winning all of their group games, including the opener against runners-up Egypt.

Team quality:

Nigeria outperforms Ghana because they have more talented players on paper. Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, Wilfred Ndidi, Paul Onuachu, and Moses Simon are all standout players for their teams in Europe’s premier divisions.

While Ghana has numerous promising young players, Thomas Partey is the country’s lone household name who plays for a respected team in Europe’s top divisions.

Ghana will host the opening leg in Cape Coast on March 25 before traveling to Abuja four days later for the second match.

On paper, the Super Eagles will be the favorites, but in a derby, form is nothing. Nonetheless, the three-time African champions will be optimistic about their chances, even if they must avoid loss in the opening leg.