Preview: Nigeria vs. Ghana - prediction, team news, lineups, H2H

BY: BLACKCOIN

A place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be on the line on Tuesday when West African rivals Nigeria and Ghana square off at the M.K.O Abiola National Stadium, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Following Friday's draw Ghana have now failed to win any of their last five games across all competitions, while Nigeria have managed just one win in their last five home games.

Match Preview:

The spoils were a shared in an uneventful goalless draw when Ghana and Nigeria locked horns in the first-leg of their World Cup qualifying playoff tie last Friday.

In a drab contest at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, both sides were guilty of a lethargic display and lack of cutting edge at the attacking end of the pitch as they settled for a draw, leaving all to play for on Tuesday.

Prior to that, the Super Eagles enjoyed a fine group-stage campaign, winning four and claiming one draw from six games to collect 13 points and finish top of Group C, two points above runners-up Cape Verde.

However, Nigeria now return to home soil where they have struggled to get going, claiming just two wins from their last nine games since 2019, while losing three and claiming four draws in that time.

Austine Eguavoen's men, who are currently 32nd in the latest FIFA World Rankings, will look to end this dry spell and equal Cameron's record for the most represented African nation in the history of the World Cup with seven appearances.

On the other hand, Friday's draw came fresh off the back of a disappointing run at the Africa Cup of Nations, where Ghana were dumped out in the group stages with just one point from three games.

Otto Addo's men have now failed to taste victory in any of their last five outings across all competitions, losing three and claiming two draws since a 1-0 victory over South Africa back in November.

However, the Black Stars head into Tuesday's game following a fine run in the group stages of the qualifiers, claiming 13 points from an available 18 to finish top of Group G and edge out South Africa on goal difference.

While they will look to cause an upset in Abuja and become one of five sides to head to Qatar later in the year, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in any of their previous five meetings between the sides, losing three and claiming two draws since a 1-0 victory back in 2006.

Head-to-head:

Nigeria’s stalemate against Ghana in Kumasi was the 19th in 50 clashes between the two, with the Black Stars edging the head-to-head with 21 wins.

The Super Eagles have only managed just ten wins over Ghana, and they secured a 3-0 victory in Port Harcourt the last time they hosted their eternal rivals in a World Cup qualifier in 2001.

Team news:

Lorient star Innocent Bonke and Samuel Chukwueze went off injured in Kumasi, but both should recover well enough for this meeting.

Still, it would be a surprise to see the two in the starting eleven after an underwhelming performance in the first leg. Head coach Augustine Eguavoen has Oghenekaro Etebo and Frank Onyeka to bolster his midfield options, while Emmanuel Dennis and Ademola Lookman are excellent alternatives to Chukwueze.

Kelechi Iheanacho was decent in the hole behind Victor Osimhen on Friday, but the Eagles need more than decent to soar past Ghana on Tuesday. In place of the Leicester City forward, Eguavoen could deploy either Odion Ighalo or Umar Sadiq to devastating effect against Otto Addo’s men.

Nigeria possible starting lineup:

Uzoho; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Bassey; Onyeka, Aribo; Lookman, Iheanacho, Dennis; Osimhen

Ghana possible starting lineup:

Wollacott; Mensah, Amartey, Djiku, Odoi; Partey, Baba, Kudus; J Ayew, Afena-Gyan, A Ayew

Prediction:

The Super Eagles have not won any of their last five matches against the Black Stars but are the favourites to claim a narrow victory in a tough battle against their neighbours.

Tip: Nigeria 1:0 Ghana