Ghana is seeking a fourth World Cup appearance, while Nigeria have been to the intercontinental soccer fiesta on 6 occasions
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ghanas’ head coach, Otto Addo has finally named the 27 players that will face the Super Eagles in the double-header World Cup play-offs on Friday 25th March and Tuesday 29th March.
The unveiling comes after weeks of speculation and criticism of the Black Stars technical crew by some Ghanian fans and football pundits.
However, some Ghanaians have argued that the late release was part of their tactics to keep the technical team of the Super Eagles guessing, and hopefully pull a surprise when they meet on Friday.
A notable absentee on the 27 man list is their captain, Andre Ayew who, like our own Alex Iwobi is serving a suspension from the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). The striker was issued a red card in their loss to debutants Comoros.
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His brother and Crystal Palace striker, Jordan Ayew however, made the list despite testing positive for Covid-19.
A statement on Ghana’s Football Association website reads, “Coach Otto Addo has named a 27 man squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-offs against Nigeria.
“The Back Stars will take on the Super Eagles in two matches scheduled for Kumasi and Abuja respectively as the search for a ticket to November’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar heats up.
“Ghana will host the 1st leg at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Friday, March 25 before travelling to Abuja for the 2nd leg on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.”
The Black Stars were eliminated from the last AFCON at the group stages, while Nigeria were ousted after losing to the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the rounds of 16.
Ghana is seeking a fourth World Cup appearance, while the Super Eagles have appearance six times at the tournament and will be hoping to extend it when the two teams meet.
Below is the full list:
Goalkeepers: Joseph Wollacott (Swindon Town), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen), Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates), Lawrence Ati Zigi (St. Gallen)
Defenders: Andy Yiadom (Reading FC), Dennis Korsah (Hearts of Oak), Gideon Mensah (Girondins Bordeaux), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg FC), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Dennis Odoi (Fulham), Abdul Mumin (Vitoria Guimaraes), Montari Kamaheni (Ashdod FC)
Midfielders: Baba Iddrissu (Real Mallorca), Edmund Addo (Sherif Tiraspol), Thomas Teye Partey (Arsenal FC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Daniel Kofi Kyere (St. Pauli), Elisha Owusu (Gent)
Wingers: Osman Bukari (Nantes), Joseph Paintsil (Genk), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Sporting Lisbon), Christopher Antwi Adjei (Bochum), Yaw Yeboah (Columbus Crew)
Forwards: Christopher Antwi Adjei (Bochum), Felix Afena Gyan (AS Roma), Kwasi Wriedt(Holstein Kiel), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)