Any contest between Nigeria and Ghana garners a lot of conflicting opinions as well as banter between the populace of the two teams. However, none causes more heat than a football encounter between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars.
For as long as time, Nigeria and Ghana have been African football rivals with the Black Stars dominating fixture, with nine wins and 10 draws to their name in the last 25 encounters.
With the two teams set to face off once again in a friendly match on Friday at Morocco’s Stade de Marrakech, every watching fan can expect way more than just a friendly showing from both sides in the fixture dubbed the ‘jollof derby’.
When is the game between Nigeria and Ghana?
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face the Black Stars of Ghana on Friday, March 22 at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco, with the game scheduled to kick-off by 5 PM (Nigerian time).
Historical perspective: Nigeria vs. Ghana
Ghana and Nigeria first met on October 16, 1950, in a friendly match in Accra, which the home side won 1-0.
The senior sides last met in the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Abuja, with Ghana going through 2-1 on aggregate.
In the 56 matches they have played against each other, Ghana boasts 25 wins, Nigeria has 12, and they have settled for a draw on 19 occasions.
Ghana is more successful on the continental scene, with four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) titles to Nigeria’s three. However, the Super Eagles have been more successful in recent times, with a second-place finish in the latest edition in Ivory Coast earlier this year and a third-place finish in 2019.
Players to watch out for
Nigeria
Stanley Nwabali: The Chippa United goalkeeper kept four clean sheets in the 2023 AFCON, where he conceded just four goals in seven matches. With his superb showings at the tournament in Ivory Coast, the 27-year-old is thought to have cemented his place in the starting XI, and he is expected to start between the sticks for the Eagles.
Ademola Lookman: Lookman was Nigeria’s highest scorer at the AFCON with three goals. He has nine goals and three assists for Atalanta this season, and with the absence of Victor Osimhen for this game, he is expected to lead the Nigerian frontline.
Ghana
Jordan Ayew: With Mohamed Kudus out with an injury, the younger of the Ayew brothers will be expected to lift the Ghanaian attack. The Crystal Palace man has four goals and seven assists in 28 matches.
Antoine Semenyo: Semenyo has found form for Bournemouth at the right time, scoring four goals in his last five games. Like Kudus, Athletic Club’s Inaki Williams wouldn’t be around for this friendly, and Semenyo would be on hand to provide Ghana with the goals.
Coaches
Nigeria: Finidi George
Ghana: Nana Otto Addo
How to watch Nigeria vs. Ghana game
You can watch the friendly match between Nigeria and Ghana LIVE on Afrosport TV, channel 730 on Free TV anywhere in Nigeria.
Anyone in Nigeria can also watch the match on the go on their internet-enabled devices via Afrosport mobile platforms.
You can stream for FREE on Afrosport TV Facebook page and via the VIDIVU online portal.
