Nigeria fights for survival as Ghana dreams of another victory in Abuja

[FILES] Super Eagles

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Nigeria will today, in Abuja, try to avoid another heartache at the MKO Abiola Stadium when the home-based national team, known as Eagles B, tackle their Ghanaian counterparts in an African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier.

Ghana’s main national team, the Black Stars, March, held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw at the MKO Abiola Stadium and ensured the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup on the away goals rule. The first leg of that tie had ended in a goalless draw before the March 29 debacle in Abuja.

Today, the countries are back to the same Abuja stadium to fight for another ticket, but on offer, this time is a passage to the African Nations Championship billed to hold in Algeria in January, next year.

The African Nations Championship is a national team competition made for players plying their trade in their home countries.

When the teams met in Cape Coast last week, Ghana ran away with a 2-0 victory, which they have vowed to protect today.

But the Nigerian team’s handlers believe the story will be different this time.

Speaking ahead of the match, Super Eagles B Coach, Salisu Yusuf, said his team is highly encouraged by football history to take on the Galaxies of Ghana and overcome the 2-0 advantage.

Coach Yusuf said everyone familiar with the game of football will understand that the first half is not the end of any match, just as the first leg is not the end of a qualifying series.

He said: “We have seen teams come back from 1-0 down to win a game. We have seen 2-0, 3-0 and even 4-0 and the results ended differently. We are familiar with football history and many of us can list many matches that