Ghana’s Black Stars are always difficult foes to overcome. They and Cameroon are the jinx teams that we may rightly call Nigeria’s nemesis at crucial competitions.
Imagine, all the three times Cameroon won the African Nations Cup, they were at the expense of Nigeria. Ghana knows Nigeria very well and is never intimidated by our record. This Qatar 2022 World Cup is the litmus test for the local coaches; ex-international players now managing the Super Eagles.
The crew, led by Austin Eguavoen, has the pragmatic Emmanuel Anuneke as chief coach. These guys are experienced. However, the recent unexpected defeat by Tunisia at AFCON 2021 in Cameroon after an impressive run of first-round success has raised questions about Eguavoen’s ability.
In this crucial play-off against the Black Stars, who are relatively weaker than their usual formidable standard, the Super Eagles must be wary of a wounded team that was humiliated by minnows at AFCON 2021.
Ghana are out to prove they’re still a great team and this match, coming up on March 26, 2022, is the ideal opportunity to show how they have recovered.
They, too, have rejigged their coaching crew.
Eguavoen, meanwhile, is confronted by a critical selection dilemma. With the certain presence of Victor Osimhen, we should be potent upfront. Many fans are wondering why in-form striker, Anthony Nwakaeme, who plies his trade with Turkish Club, Trabzonspor, the current league toppers in the country’s league, has not been invited.
Nwakaeme (32) has scored 11 goals in 23 appearances in his club and registered 10 assists; a better record than Sadiq Umar who plays in the second tier of the Spanish league. Sadiq was part of the contingent to Cameroon but Nwakaeme was not.
Such selection oversight can only be explained by the coaches. We also have goal-keeping problems. Maduka Okoye, our current first-choice goalkeeper has conceded 21 goals in 29 matches in his club so far. And none of the alternate goaltenders like Francis Uzoho, or Daniel Akpeyi is more reliable.
Okoye’s blunders against Tunisia cost us the painful defeat in the hands of the depleted North African team. Overall, knowing what are at stake, Eguaveon and his crew must make quality choices this time if they hope to beat our perennial rivals – the Black Stars, and register their presence in their 4th World Cup.
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