Qatar 2022 WCQ: Ghana legend Bortey, boasts Eagles are beatable
The Super Eagles seek a World Cup berth to make up for failing to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Hearts of Oak legend Bernard Dong Bortey believes Ghana will overcome Nigeria in the playoff and qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The West African giants will reignite their long-standing football rivalry this month with the winner of the two-legged tie securing qualification to the global showpiece in Qatar.
“Ghana, Nigeria is a different ball game altogether considering the rivalry between them. At first, it was about names but this time around the players will count. I believe in Ghana; I believe in the players and I believe Ghana will qualify," Dong Bortey said on Koforidua-based Bryt FM.
The Super Eagles seek a World Cup berth to make up for failing to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria were the overwhelming favourites after dominating the group phase with three impressive wins but fell short when it mattered as they were bundled out by Tunisia in the Round of 16.
The Black Stars also see qualification as an opportunity to appease Ghanaians who are upset with the team’s shambolic showing in Cameroon where the four-time African champions exited the competition in the first round with a single point from three matches.
The first leg will be played on Friday, March 25, 2022, on Ghanaian soil at the Cape Coast Stadium with Abuja taking care of the second leg which is scheduled for March 29.
Meanwhile, veteran Ghanaian football coach has recommended Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah for the crucial World Cup playoff against rivals Nigeria.
Coach Sarpong made mention of this on the back of Richard Kingston's comment that he was monitoring 15 goalkeepers instead of the 15 ahead of the game.
The former Hearts of Oak and Aduana Stars coach opposed Richard Kingston's monitoring program stating he should be narrowing his search to just five instead of the 15.
“In goalkeeping, the trainer [Richard Kingtson] should have pencilled just about five key goalkeepers for observation for the upcoming match but not as many as 15 goalkeepers that he said publicly that he was currently observing for a single match,” said Coach Sarpong.
There have been calls for Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah to be given the nod ahead of Swindon Town goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott for the Nigeria game.
Coach Sarpong has championed for Richard Attah to get the starting position ahead of Wollacot, who was Ghana's number one at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
