Nigeria vs Ghana betting tips: African World Cup play-off second leg preview, predictions and odds

By Ben Gray Published: March 27, 2022 6:26 pm

Nigeria

1

-

1

Ghana

Match ended

Show players

90'

Wollacott, Joe

90'

Fatawu, Issahaku Abdul
Wriedt, Kwasi Okyere

Shehu, Abdullahi

89'

Ughelumba, Calvin
Sadiq, Umar

88'

85'

Fatawu, Issahaku Abdul

84'

Partey, Thomas

Etebo, Oghenekaro
Musa, Ahmed

78'

Dennis, Emmanuel
Ighalo, Odion

78'

73'

Kudus, Mohammed
Bukari, Osman

Lookman, Ademola
Simon, Moses

61'

Onyeka, Frank
Shehu, Abdullahi

46'

46'

Baba, Iddrisu
Yiadom, Andy

46'

Afena-Gyan, Felix
Kyereh, Daniel-Kofi

46'

Ayew, Jordan
Owusu, Elisha

26'

Amartey, Daniel

Troost-Ekong, William

22'

10'

Partey, Thomas

Starting lineup

Uzoho, Francis23

Aina, Ola2

Balogun, Leon6

Troost-Ekong, William5

Onyeka, Frank4

Ughelumba, Calvin21

Aribo, Joe10

Dennis, Emmanuel7

Etebo, Oghenekaro8

Lookman, Ademola11

Osimhen, Victor9

16Wollacott, Joe

3Odoi, Denis

Amartey, Daniel

23Djiku, Alexander

14Mensah, Gideon

5Partey, Thomas

21Baba, Iddrisu

20Kudus, Mohammed

7Afena-Gyan, Felix

9Ayew, Jordan

13Fatawu, Issahaku Abdul

Substitutes

Akpeyi, Daniel

Barinyima, John Noble1

Shehu, Abdullahi12

Sanusi, Zaidu3

Omeruo, Kenneth22

Ajayi, Semi6

Amoo, Akinkunmi

Sadiq, Umar17

Musa, Ahmed7

Iheanacho, Kelechi14

Ighalo, Odion19

Simon, Moses15

12Zigi, Lawrence Ati

1Ofori, Richard

6Aidoo, Joseph

2Yiadom, Andy

4Kamaheni, Montari

22Antwi-Adjej, Christopher

10Owusu, Elisha

8Kyereh, Daniel-Kofi

11Bukari, Osman

19Yeboah, Yaw

17Wriedt, Kwasi Okyere

15Paintsil, Joseph

Recommended bets

First leg score: Ghana 0-0 Nigeria.

Nigeria haven’t beaten Ghana for 15 years, having enjoyed a 15-year unbeaten streak of their own directly before this. Ghana’s last victory in Nigeria came in the 1965 Azikiwe Cup, failing in nine attempts since then.

Under 2.5 goals and both teams to score NO is 8/13.

Nigeria to win and both teams to score NO is 15/8.

Nigeria to win and under 2.5 goals is 12/5. 

Nigeria to win 1-0 against Ghana- 4/1!

BET NOW

Match preview

Thomas Partey of Ghana during Gabon against Ghana, African Cup of Nations, at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on January 14, 2022. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

There was nothing to separate these two fierce rivals in Kumasi, but there must be a winner as they meet again in Abuja.

In Friday’s first leg, Ghana dominated the early exchanges with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku forcing Francis Uzoho into a decent stop.

After the break, Mohammed Kudus’s solo run resulted in him having a shot, but he too couldn’t find the opener.

All in all, it was a game of few chances and one that didn’t produce any goals.

Given that they now host the first leg, it should be advantage Nigeria but, with the away goals rule in play, don’t count out Ghana just yet.

Nigeria made their World Cup debut at USA ’94 and have only failed to qualify for one tournament since then, missing out on Germany 2006.

The Super Eagles are actually winless in two home games, losing 1-0 to Central African Republic before a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde.

But, prior the former, they hadn’t lost a home World Cup qualifier since 1981 and certainly don’t want another here.

Ghana meanwhile qualified for three successive World Cups between 2006 and 2014 before that streak was ended by Egypt en route to Russia.

The Black Stars were shambolic at January’s Africa Cup of Nations, winning none of their games so going out in the group stages.

This promoted a change of management with interim coach Otto Addo now looking to take his country to the World Cup in his first act in charge.

It’s fair to say these West African rivals do not like each other so, roared on by a huge crowd, will Nigeria make home advantage count at Moshood Abiola National Stadium?

Nigeria team news

VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 22: Ahmed Musa of Nigeria celebrates with teammate Kelechi Ịheanachọ after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Iceland at Volgograd Arena on June 22, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

In the first leg, Kelechi Ịheanachọ got the nod up front alongside Victor Osimhen after the Napoli striker missed AFCON with a broken cheekbone.

They were flanked by Moses Simon and Samu Chukwueze, but Nigeria boast an array of attacking options in reserve.

Ademola Lookman, who made his international debut off the bench in Ghana, Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis will be in reserve.

Further back, Bonke Innocent and Joe Aribo were chosen as the midfield duo, over Frank Onyeka.

These two did a good job deputising for Wilfred Ndidi who’ll miss this tie injured and that’s a serious blow.

Captain William Troost-Ekong will win his 60th cap at centre-back, while Rangers’ Calvin Bassey won his very first on Friday.

Ghana team news

(Top L to R) Ghana pose for a group picture during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Round of 16 football match between Ghana and Tunisia at the Ismailia Stadium in the Egyptian city on July 8, 2019. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

As for the visitors, André Ayew, who has 103 international caps to his name, is available again after suspension.

He could join an attack featuring brother Jordan and Felix Afena-Gyan with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku missing out.

Thomas Partey will continue to anchor the midfield with Daniel Amartey partnered by Alexander Djiku at centre-back.

Denis Odoi, who made his Ghana debut a decade after his one and only Belgium cap, will keep his place at right-back.

Swindon Town’s Joe Wollacott is the first-choice goalkeeper having started all seven competitive games since his debut back in October.

– 101 Great Goals may earn commission from links on this page. Our content is always original. Note that all of our reviewers are compensated for contributing content to 101 Great Goals. Learn more.