NIGERIA and Ghana face a straight shootout for a World Cup place as the sides face off in Abuja.
Nothing could separate the two West African giants in an evenly contested first leg in Ghana, which finished goalless.
And crucially, away goals WILL count double in this second leg so the Super Eagles will be expected to play even more cautious this time around.
What time does Nigeria vs Ghana kick off?
- Nigeria face Ghana TODAY – Tuesday 29 March.
- It is scheduled to kick-off at 6pm UK time – same time locally.
- The match will take place at the Abuja National Stadium in Nigeria which holds a capacity of 60,000.
- Neither side was able to bag a goal in the first leg.
What TV channel is Nigeria vs Ghana on and can I live stream it?
- Unfortunately Nigeria vs Ghana is not being shown on UK television.
- However, it can be streamed legally via the FREE streaming service Mola TV.
- Mobile and tablet users can download the Mola TV app directly to their devices.
Team news
Nigeria XI: Uzoho, Aina, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Bassey; Etebo, Onyeka, Aribo; Dennis, Osimhen, Lookman
.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}
Most read in Football
.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}
Latest odds
To win in 90 minutes
Nigeria 5/6
Draw 7/4
Ghana 4/1
To qualify
Nigeria 1/2
Ghana 7/5
*Odds from Betfair correct as of Tuesday 29 March.
Dennis the menace
Emmanuel Dennis has called on his Nigeria team-mates to “die on the pitch” to make it to the World Cup.
But the Watford star didn’t exactly lead by example last week when he turned up a day late for training with the Super Eagles.
One member of the coaching staff even said before the Hornets star turned up: “We don’t know where he is and it’s not a nice way to make up for his acts before the Africa Cup of Nations [in which he agreed to stay with Watford].
“The deadline is this afternoon before the start of training. We can’t even reach him.
“Eguavoen is unhappy with his absence as we have limited time to meet up with them individually, train, travel and perfect tactics for the game.
“Ekong is here so is Etebo but no word from Dennis.”
Emmanuel Dennis turned up a day late for his Nigeria call-up Nigeria line-up
It’s all change for Nigeria as they host Ghana for a place at the World Cup.
Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis comes into the side along with Leicester’s Ademola Lookman.
However, Lookman’s fellow Fox Kelechi Iheanacho drops to the bench.
There is also a shock start for Watford’s Peter Etebo, who hasn’t featured for the Hornets since tearing his quad during a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle on September 25.
Peter Etebo makes his first start for club or country in six months Away goals count double!
Fans in Europe are getting used to a Champions League without the away goals rule this season.
However, there has been no such change for the African World Cup play-offs.
Under both CAF and Fifa rules, away goals WILL count double.
In tonight’s match, that is likely to play into Ghana’s hands as the Black Stars know any score draw will see them progress to Qatar at Nigeria’s expense.
African World Cup play-off fixtures
A reminder of what we have in store tonight.
- Nigeria (0) vs Ghana (0) – 6pm
- Senegal (0) vs Egypt (1) – 6pm
- Algeria (1) vs Cameroon (0) – 8.30pm
- Tunisia (1) vs Mali (0) – 8.30pm
- Morocco (1) vs DR Congo (1) – 8.30pm
Mane vs Salah
Nigeria vs Ghana is not the only early kick-off from Africa tonight.
In another mouthwatering clash, Afcon finalists Senegal and Egypt face off with only one team able to qualify for the World Cup.
After a dogged defensive display, the Egyptians are taking a 1-0 lead to West Africa for this game.
Follow all the action as Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Mo Salah turn from friends to enemies in their quest to make it to Qatar.
Mo Salah needs to get past Senegal to make it to Qatar ‘Ghana must go’
The first Nigeria fans are making the way to the stadium in Abuja for their World Cup play-off against Ghana.
The Super Eagles support appeared in high spirits as they chanted “Ghana must go” on the bus to the ground.
Crowds of up to 60,000 can fit in the Abuja National Stadium, but it is not known whether it will be a full house tonight.
‘Do or die’
Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis has called for his Nigeria team-mates to “die on the pitch” to qualify for the World Cup.
He told BBC Sport Africa: “These games are the biggest games of my life and my career. We must go all out for our country. It’s do or die.
“Players must be ready to drop our blood and sweat on the pitch to qualify for the World Cup.
“I’ve never thought in my head that we didn’t qualify. Impossible. If I’m going to die on the pitch, let me die playing for my people,” Dennis added.
“You play this tournament one time every four years, and before the four years, you don’t even know what can happen. You can even die before the next one.
“You might not even be playing football. So many things can happen. So, if you get the opportunity, you need to write history. We have to come out and give everything.
“We don’t need all the criticism as we must all come together as one to support the players, the country and make sure we are the ones going to the World Cup and not our opponent.”
Emmanuel Dennis says the Nigeria team must be ready to ‘die on the pitch’ Head-to-head
Hosts Nigeria have a staggeringly poor head-to-head record against rivals Ghana.
The teams have met 56 times with Ghana winning 25 compared to Nigeria’s twelve. Nineteen previous meetings have resulted in draws.
And there hasn’t been much to get the fans excited about in their last two meetings, which both finished goalless.
The most recent of these was the first leg in Kumasi last week. Before that, you have to go back to a 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road, Watford in 2011 for the last time the teams met.
Ghana won all the three meetings before that encounter, with the Nigerians not having picked up a win since 2006.
Super Eagles vs Black Stars
Nigeria and Ghana renew hostilities in one of Africa’s biggest rivalries tonight.
The stakes have never been higher as only one of these two sides will be able to qualify for the World Cup.
The Super Eagles held the Black Stars to a 0-0 draw in Ghana last week and go into this one as slight favourites.
However, the Ghanaians could benefit from the fact that away goals still count double in African World Cup play-offs.
Both sides have it all to prove after sub-par Africa Cup of Nations performances last month.
Nigeria looked like they may be among the contenders when they beat eventual finalists Egypt 1-0 in the group stage.
However, they were then stunned in the round of 16 as they were beaten 1-0 by Tunisia.
Ghana meanwhile failed even to make it out of the group stage.
The Black Stars picked up a credible point against Gabon following defeat to Morocco.
However, they were then beaten 3-2 by minnows Comoros in their final group game.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
