Gbetu TV (News They Are Not Talking About)
Ghana and Nigeria played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their World Cup playoff in Kumasi, leaving the tie wide open when they meet again in Abuja on Tuesday to decide a place in Qatar.
Home side Ghana had more of the possession but only twice did they test goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who made a stop from a stinging shot by Issahaku Fatawu and then again late on from Mohammed Kudus.
Nigeria’s best chance came through Moses Simon ten minutes into the second half, but he fired straight at the goalkeeper from ten-yards out.
The Super Eagles were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left when Idrissu Baba Mohamed handled the ball after being tripped in his own penalty area, but after a VAR check the referee overturned his decision after deciding that the Ghana man had been fouled.
Ghana were playing their first game under new coach Otto Addo, as changes were made following a dismal Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Leicester’s Ademola Lookman, who had previously played for England at under-21 level, made his Nigeria debut as a substitute for the last 15 minutes.
FULL TIME: 0-0
90′ Jordan Ayew’s chip is gathered by Uzoho. Four minutes have been added
89′ It’s still goalless in the final stages of the match
82′ Uzoho rushes out to clear a dangerous ball that put Jordan Ayew clear on goal
75′ Penalty awarded to Nigeria has been overturned after a VAR check
SUB: 73′ Double substitute for Nigeria. Ademola Lookman makes his senior debut, coming on for Moses Simon and Calvin Bassey replaces Zaidu Sanusi
70′ Uzoho saves from a brilliant effort a Ghanaian striker
67′ Kelechi Iheanacho’s free-kick is deflected for Nigeria’s second corner kick of the night, which is wasted
66′ Frank Onyeka fouled just outside Ghana’s penalty box
65′ Another Jordan Ayew effort flies over Uzoho’s goal
61′ Ghana’s Alexander Djiku gets the first caution of the game for handling the ball
58′ Thomas Partey’s long range effort is deflected out for a corner kick
SUB: 57′ Samuel Chukwueze out for Emmanuel Dennis, Frank Onyeka replaces Joe Aribo
54′ Great chance for Moses Simon who is denied by Wollacott
52′ Uzoho comes out in time to collect a dangerous ball that sent Afena-Gyan in on goal
48′ Ghana starts the second half the way they did the first. Just three minutes into the half and they have two corner kicks already
46′ Second Half underway
HALF TIME 0-0
44′ Into the final minutes of the first half and it’s still goalless. Two minutes have been added
42′ Moses Simon’s cross is collected by Joe Wollacott
40′ Ola Aina puts Joe Aribo in on goal who fires over the cross bar. Still goalless
36′ Osimhen’s attempt is deflected into a corner kick for Nigeria
32′ Great save by Uzoho from a thunderous shot just outside the box by Issahaku
30′ Osimhen goes down from a tackle and requires the attention of the medics
26′ Mensah’s cross is deflected out for a corner to Ghana. Their second of the evening
22′ Jordan Ayew’s beats Ekong but his cross is safely gathered by Francis Uzoho
21′ Great cross from Zaidu Sanusi fails to meet Osimhen. The follow-up is deflected out for throw in to Nigeria
17′ Ayew over hits the free kick. Goal kick to Nigeria
17′ Ghana wins a free kick from Ola Aina’s foul on Jordan Ayew
15′ Ghana is clear on goal but Leon Balogun recovers in time to clear the ball off the legs of the Ghanaian attacker
12′ Samuel Chukwueze goes down after a tackle just outside the Ghanaian box and requires the attention of the referee
7′ Ghana enjoying a larger part of possession in the early minutes
5′ Thomas Partey fouls Aribo. Free kick to Nigeria which is quickly taken and results in a goal kick to Ghana
3′ Afena-Gyan fails to keep the ball in. Goal kick to Nigeria
2′ Ghana gets first corner kick of the night
1′ kick-off
Nigeria
Uzoho (Gk)
Aina
Troost-Ekong
Balogun
Zaidu
Innocent
Aribo
Iheanacho
Simon
Chukwueze
Osimhen
Ghana
Wollacott (GK)
Odoi
Amartey
Djiku
Mensah
Baba
Thomas
Kudus
Issahaku
Ayew
Afena-Gyan
These ‘British’ neighbours have a common history. From being colonised by the British to educational structure, Nigeria and Ghana have a lot in common.
The University of Ibadan and the University of Legon share the same colours of blue and yellow and the campuses are miniatures of each other.
Above this, there are seven interesting facts about Ghana and Nigeria:
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