GHANA QUALIFIES FOR QATAR 2022 WORLD CUP

Emmanuel Alfred

In a match that was tagged ‘the jollof derby’ the winner was settled by the away goals’ rule.

Austin Eguavoen, the Super Eagles Coach made 5 changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Accra on Friday for the match in Abuja but it was the Ghanaians who drew first blood from an eleventh minute strike by Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey.

The goal saw the Super Eagles of Nigeria come to life as they showed more urgency and they were rewarded with a penalty by Tunisian referee Sadok Selm for a foul on Ademola Lookman after a long consultation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

William-Troost Ekong expertly dispatched the penalty on the 22nd minute to restore parity.

The Eagles continued with the pressure and they got a goal courtesy of Victor Osimhen who showed poise and composure to make it 2-1 momentarily before the goal was chalked off for offside. The game stayed way level till half time.

The second half had very few chances and didn’t match the energy and controversy of the first half. Despite a lot of substitutions made by coach Austin Eguavoen, the Nigerian players couldn’t get the much needed second goal.
The full time whistle was blown by the referee to usher the Black Stars into the World Cup.

Nigeria will not be featuring in the Mundial at Qatar and that will be their first absence since 2006 in Germany.

Hon Joe Ghartey, a notable Parliamentarian and Ghanain Presidential hopeful wrote on his Twitter handle @thejoeghartey,

“Congratulations #BlackStars a wonderful turnaround and an amazing scoreline. The sky is the limit #NGAGHA 🇬🇭”