Anger and optimism in equal measure as Our Boys seek Qatar 2022 ticket in Kumasi
I am already praying and mobilizing local support for their victory. I am of the belief that those around for the game will deliver for Nigeria
Nothing but a resounding victory by Our Boys against the Black Stars of Ghana in a Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier match in Kumasi on Friday will quench Nigerians’ hunger for celebration since January 2022 and also silence loquacious Ghana Football Association (GHA) officials, OLUKAYODE THOMAS reports.
Just like that, problems and challenges of Nigerians in the last few weeks range from lack of petroleum, the astronomical cost of diesel, insecurity, Wike vs. Obaseki, Wike vs. Umahi, APC Convention and others. Important national and international issues like the war between Russia and Ukraine seem to have taken the back seat.
From newspaper stands to Churches, Mosques, lecture halls, bus stops, canteens, beer parlours and every other place where twos or threes are gathered, the only subject of discussion is the Friday must-win Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Though the relationship between the overzealous Nigerian supporters of football and the Super Eagles have waned since, Our Boys have made it a tradition to break our hearts on countless occasions, with Nigerians now investing their emotions in big clubs in European Nation Football Leagues, this match is different.
If Our Boys were playing Kenya, Sudan, or any other country, maybe emotion might not be this high but Ghana, our small neighbour thinks they are at par with their Bigger Uncle.
From things as trivial as jollof rice to important subjects like education, healthcare, housing, power supply and others Ghanaians always see their countries as better than Nigeria.
Their loquacious FA president Kurt Okraku who talks before engaging his brain said a few days ago.
“It’s that time of the year where every Ghanaian will have to stand up and be counted. It’s that time of the year when our country’s pride is at stake. It’s that time of the year when Ghana must be at the Mundial, but before we do that, we have a common foe, the Super Eagles of Nigeria. They come across as our little babies, but they pretend to be the big boys.”
When it comes to football, statistics support Okraku but the president of FA is also a diplomat who ought to engage instead of talking like a street urchin.
The first meeting between Our Boys and the Black Stars on October 16, 1950, ended in favour of Ghana while they also won our last meeting on January 29, 2014, 1-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. In all we have met 56 times with Ghana winning 25 times, 19 ended in a draw and Our Boys won 12 times.
Ghana substantive Captain Thomas Partey seems to have more wisdom than his FA president. The in-form Arsenal midfielder spoke highly of the Super Eagles, “We are going to give our best tomorrow. I believe in the team, I believe in the coach, the system we want to play. We are ready for them. Now we have an opportunity to qualify for the World Cup. We are going to face a great opponent with quality players. As the coach said, we have a plan, we want to play as a team, and we want to develop this team to be able to achieve greater things. We want to concentrate on this game, try to do our best. Everyone that will be on the pitch will give 100 per cent,” Partey added.
Partey diplomacy seems not to assuage Nigerians who want Our Boys to teach Ghana football lessons in their backyard in Kumasi.
Prediction by Senegalese traditional doctor Kahone, that Ghana will win Friday match 3-2 has not in any way doused Nigerians’ optimism of victory over the Black Stars.
For captain Ahmed Musah Our Boys are confident of breaking the jinx at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi by beating Ghana in the first leg of the 2022 World Cup playoff.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, the Fatih Karagümrük forward stated “We have been hearing a lot of things. How they have not lost in that stadium (Babayara). If you remember the 2021 AFCON qualifiers when we played in the Benin Republic, they told us they have not lost there. We went there and won. I believe we will go there and make history by winning in Kumasi,”
Blessed with a star-studded team former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba believes that qualification to the Mundial in Qatar should be paramount for the star-studded Nigerian team.
"What we want is to see them go out and defeat Ghana and qualify for the World Cup. We should not dwell on the list. Coach Austin Eguavoen has a selection headache. We don’t know if Chukwueze or Moses will start because we have lots of forwards. Integration is important. You need time to gel. Europe is different because you play together. “
Nigerian football legend Christian Chukwu envisages a tough match but believes Our Boys will triumph “I am optimistic of the national team’s victory. I am already praying and mobilizing local support for their victory. I am of the belief that those around for the game will deliver for Nigeria. But in a situation where some invited players do not make it, we must know that this is a sign that there is the need to groom and get home-based Super Eagles players ready to replace anybody in the squad.”
Defender Leon Balogun believes the team needs a special character to win, “These kinds of derbies are big and they demand a special kind of character. I think that I can bring that and I do not need to voice it in any way outside of the pitch because you have to speak for yourself with the team for your country. I try to leave the rivalry pretty much aside without saying that I don’t respect it. For me personally and my preparations for the game, it doesn’t matter too much because it is about where do I want to go with the team? That is the World Cup.
“It happens we play against Ghana, so yes there is that rivalry. I know there is a huge importance to that outside of football and also within football with the fans and everything.”
Old warhorse Odion Ighalo who has been in excellent form in the Saudi Arabia league said the two teams are under pressure, “We know Ghana is a good team, we know the rivalry between the two countries, and we have been working hard and looking forward to the game. There is pressure on Ghanaians the same way there is pressure on us. We have to qualify for the world cup, we have to be there. With what happened at the AFCON there is a little bit of pressure on the team but we know we are capable of doing it.”
Super Eagles interim manager, Eguavoen is without one of his best players Wilfred Ndidi but he told the media Ndidi’s absence will not be greatly felt.
“We wish Ndidi a speedy recovery. He’s an important player for the national team. I know how important he is to us but his absence isn’t going to change anything, we have a couple of players who can play in that position. The philosophy will not change, style of play will not change, only personnel will change. Till that day I’m not going to tell you who will play in that position. We’ve a whole lot to pick from and get what we want. There is so much at stake. Getting the world cup ticket is our target and we hope to get it. We know we have to fight for it because Ghana wants it as much as we do. But we must try and get over the line.”
Though Ndidi is out but Eguavoen has been blessed with new addition Victor Osimhen of Napoli, Ighalo and Ademola Lookman.
“The boys are sharp and ready to go. We have to win well against Ghana to get over the line. We will do the talking on the pitch.”
The supporters at home too are already on the go supporting the team with prayers and positive thoughts.
PULL QUOTE: we have a common foe, the Super Eagles of Nigeria. They come across as our little babies, but they pretend to be the big boys.”
PULL QUOTE: I am already praying and mobilizing local support for their victory. I am of the belief that those around for the game will deliver for Nigeria.