2022 WCQ: Nigeria vs Ghana Play-offs get new dates

The long awaited clash between Ghana and Nigeria is finally here! Even though the dates got pushed forward by a few days the matches between the two arc-rivals is still taking place. The dates changed from the 24th and the 27th of February to the 25th and the 29th of the same month. The two-legged playoffs are set to be hosted by each of the countries as indicated earlier. Neither the venues nor the fixtures have, just the dates.  Virtual Reality

One more day for both Super Eagles’ and Black Stars’ fans might have felt like a week. The clashes is one of the most awaited ones in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoffs. The overall winner of the two play offs gets to play in the World Cup while the other loser goes home till next season. Will Nigeria get to redeem its glory after the unexpected, disappointing ousting from the AFCON 2021? Will Ghana get a chance to give a better show than its poor performance in the AFCON 2021 group stages? We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, Super Eagles fans can place some bets in other fixtures while awaiting for the favorite matches. To get more updates, fixtures, odds, and markets on Nigeria vs Ghana matches, you can choose the trustful BettingTop10 Nigeria site as your one-stop solution for all your betting needs. BettingTop10 Nigeria provides punters with the best and most trusted sportsbooks for Nigeria, so you can be sure to find the best for yourself.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw held at Cairo International Convention Center saw Nigeria drawn in Group C alongside Cape Verde, Central Africa Republic (CAR) and Liberian while Ghana were in Group G with Ethiopia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The two made it to the top two in their groups, hence the opportunity to battle it out in the playoffs.

The new dates give Nigerian football fans plenty of time to gear up for their matches with Ghana—the most recent of which have been pretty intense. In 2012 Nigeria won 2-0, but Ghana took home a 1-0 victory in 2013 and a 3-1 victory in 2014. Since then, both teams have qualified for several World Cups—including this year’s World Cup, where both squads will be representing Africa along with Cameroon and Egypt.

The first leg will be hosted by Ghana will be held in the Cape Coast Stadium. This is after CAF rejected a request by the Football Federation of Ghana. The Latter had proposed the Baba Yara, Kumasi sports stadium citing that their first choice stadium, the Cape Coast, would be used for the National Day of Independence for the country.

According to the article 21 of the FIFA W’ Cup 2022 regulations on preliminary competition, the GFF should have notified the general secretariat of FIFA at least three months before the match day. This is to ensure that matches are only played in the venues approved and inspected by the confederation in charge. As such, CAF only pushed the match day by a day but retained the venue for the event.  Virtual Reality

The second leg will be held in Abuja, Nigeria on the Mashood Abiola stadium. While the Nigerians might not get to attend the first leg for their team’s away match, thousands are expected to flood the Mashood Abiola stadium in support for their National team. Again, this match will be tense since the outcome will determine which of the two teams qualifies for the Qatar World Cup.

Why the WCQ matters to the Black Stars and the Super Eagles

Both teams have represented Africa in the World cup many times before, and it has not been a walk in the park. Nigeria’s debut in the World Cup was in 1994, with the most recent appearance being in 2018. The Super Eagles also represented Africa in the World Cup in 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014. The Black Stars on the other hand made their debut 2006 and have only qualified for only three tournaments, their most recent being in 2014.

The Black Stars and the Super Eagles first clash in the FIFA World Cup was in 1962. Other fixtures between the two are 2002, 1974, and 1970. The teams’ rivalry is at least 70 years old which makes it even more fun to watch their matches. The playoffs gives the teams a chance to prove themselves to each other, the African continent, and to make history in the Intercontinental arena. With FIFA confirming the new dates, we can be sure to enjoy the thrilling matches between the two.