The Black Stars of Ghana qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a tense 1-1 draw against Nigeria in Abuja.
Ghana took an early lead then weathered a fierce Nigerian storm after they equalised from the penalty spot.
Ghana eventually qualified on the away goals rule, 1-1 on aggregate.
The two African giants went to war at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja for a solitary World Cup ticket.
The finely balanced contest was tied 0-0 on aggregate after the first leg.
Ghana entered the game knowing a score draw would be enough to progress (away goals count double in the event of a tie on aggregate).
The Stars scored early through a long-range bullet from Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, putting them on the best possible footing.
The early goal meant Nigeria now had to score twice if they wanted to qualify outright.
The Super Eagles mounted pressure following Ghana’s goal and were eventually rewarded with a soft penalty.
Right-back Dennis Odoi lightly touched Ademola Lookman in a tussle for the ball in the box and the referee whistled for a penalty after a VAR consultation.
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong blasted the penalty past Jojo Wollacott in the Ghanaian goal.
Victor Osimhen appeared to spring Ghana’s offside trap to score late in the first half but VAR correctly ruled the goal out for offside.
The two teams slugged it out in a tense second half but neither side could score.
Ghana was comfortable knowing the 1-1 draw was enough to go through.
Nigeria huffed and puffed but eventually could not break down the Stars.
Exhausted Ghanaian players jubilated with glee at the final whistle as they booked a place in the World Cup.
Ghana qualifies for her fourth World Cup out of the past five.
The Black Stars has been at every World Cup since first qualifying to the Mundial in 2006, only missing out on the 2018 World Cup.
Congratulations to the Black Stars and to all of us as Ghanaians – and better luck next time to the Super Eagles.
Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com
This post was published on March 29, 2022 10:43 PM
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