Tuesday, March 29
*Nigeria 1-1 Ghana
Ghana have reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after overcoming rivals Nigeria in the playoffs.
The Black Stars have picked a needed 1-1 draw at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The result means that Ghana progress on away goals rule having played a goalless draw back in Kumasi in the first leg.
Thomas Partey gave Ghana a good start when he scored after Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho let the ball slip through to the back of the net early into the game.
The Super Eagles fought back with an equaliser from Troost-Ekong who converted from the spot after Denis Odoi had clipped Ademola Lookmam in the area.
Nigeria huffed and puffed in search for an elusive goal but in vain as Ghana held on.
The Black Stars have now qualified for their fourth FIFA World Cup tournaments after appearances in 2006, 2010, and 2014.
They will be hoping to exercise the 2006 demons when they advanced to the second round of the World Cup in Germany.
It has been a huge turn around for Ghana who crashed out of the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon in group stages without winning a single match.
They then sacked coach Milovan Rajevac and appointed Otto Addo on interim basis, and the decision has paid off with a trip to Qatar.
Ghana had topped Group G of the World Cup Qualifiers ahead of South Africa, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.
The African format of the World Cup Qualifiers saw 40 teams divided into 10 groups of four teams that played home and away, and ten group winners advanced to the third round (playoff round).
The ten second round group winners are playing home-and-away over two legs. The five winners qualify for the World Cup.
Team Lineups
Nigeria – Francis Uzoho, Ola Aina, Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey, Emmanuel Dennis, Oghenekaro Etebo, Ademola Lookman, Onyeka Frank, Victor Osimhen, Troost-Ekong
Ghana – Joseph Wollacot, Denis Frimpong, Gideon Mensah, Alexander Djiku, Daniel Partey, Mohammed Iddrisu Baba, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Issahaku Abdul Fatawu, Afena Gyan Felix
