Ghana vs Nigeria: Ighalo benched as Osimhen leads Super Eagles attack

Ghana vs Nigeria: Ighalo benched as Osimhen leads Super Eagles attack
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It has been learned that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will lead the Super Eagles attack against Ghana in their 2023 World Cup qualifier on Friday.

This is due to the fact that in-form Al-Hilal FC striker Odion Ighalo is expected to start the game from the bench.

Francis Uzoho, Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Innocent Bonke, Leon Balogun, Williams Troost Ekong, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, Joseph Aribo, and Moses Simon were also named starters for the game.

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According to the PUNCH, fireworks are expected on Friday (today) as Ghana hosts arch-rival Nigeria in one of the most anticipated matches of the first leg of the 2022 World Cup playoffs in Kumasi.

According to data obtained by The PUNCH from the CAF website, Ghana has the head-to-head advantage, having won 25 of their previous 56 meetings, with 19 ending in draws.

The Super Eagles had won 12 of their previous 13 games against the Black Stars. The first meeting took place on October 20, 1951, and Nigeria won 5-0.

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The last time both teams met in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match was in 2001, when both were vying for a spot in the Korea/Japan 2002 finals. The first leg ended in a stalemate at the Accra Sports Stadium, before Nigeria won the return leg 3-0 at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt on July 29, 2001.

Osimhen is deserving of more than he is receiving – Spalleti
Their most recent meeting, a friendly match held on October 11, 2011, in London, ended 0-0.

Nigeria vs Ghana kicks off at 7.30 p.m. today at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, with the reverse leg set for Tuesday, March 29, at 6 p.m. at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The winner of the two legs will receive one of Africa’s five tickets to the 22nd FIFA World Cup finals, which will be held in Qatar from November 14 to December 18, this year.

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