Ghana will battle Nigeria for one of Africa’s five slots at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar during the final playoffs scheduled to take place next month, and many have tagged the tie as a must win contest for either of the two West African countries, but former Nigeria international Abdul Sule bets to differ.
Both Ghana and Nigeria failed to make major impact at the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with Ghana suffering early exit at the group stage, recording a worst campaign in their entire 23-times appearance at the tournament. Nigeria on the other hand, proved much better than Ghana after winning all three group matches, but lost to Tunisia in the Round of 16 to say goodbye to the tournament in Cameroon.
In an exclusive interview with ghanasportspage.com, Abdul Sule tipped his country Nigeria as the better performing side currently and favourites to triumph over the two legged fixtures against Ghana. He stressed however, that the game against Ghana should not be seen to be a do or die affair, should be devoid of sentiments so that two nations can play showcase good football to the world.
“Ghana-Nigeria we are perennial rivals. When it has come to our playoffs now in the world cup you will see both teams rise above normal level. Ghana will even rise higher and match Nigeria because this is Nigeria they are playing against and we are playing against Ghana. So it’s going to be very tough”, Sule admitted.
He went on to advise both nations not to see the matches as a do or die affair, but make way for the better team to advance so Africa can have a better representation at the World Cup finals.
“My advice is that we should remove all forms of sentiments and that fighting to play good football so that the best representatives will win and go to represent Africa. The most important thing is that Africa must have good representation at the World Cup Qatar 2022 to further boost our result to ask for more slots for Africa”.
“So it is not about a do or die affair, but that Ghana and Nigeria must show class to say let the better team win, and I’m rooting that Nigeria will win Ghana”, he concluded.
