Nigeria playing against Ghana is more than a football rivalry irrespective of the competition or importance of the game.
Nigeria have lost to Ghana four times since 1992 and the Nigeria Football Federation has made no mistake in wielding the stick on any coach who fails to grab a win against their West African rivals since 2007.
This Friday in Morocco, Finidi George faces an uphill task for his first taste of dug-out action with the Super Eagles against Ghana.
Afrosport recalls former Nigeria coaches that have been sent packing after losing to Ghana.
Augustine Eguavoen – 2007
Just like Finidi George, Augustine Eguavoen had the chance to cement his place as Super Eagles head coach when he took charge of the friendly match against Ghana in a friendly game in Brentford in February 2007.
Unfortunately, he could not pass the test as Nigeria suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss and that made way for the appointment of Berti Vogts who led the country to the 2008 AFCON.
Berti Vogts – 2008
The German led the Super Eagles to the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana but his brief reign appeared over after a 2-1 defeat to Ghana in the quarter-final stage.
Michael Essien’s stoppage-time goal cancelled out Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s 35th-minute opener before Manuel Agogo sent Nigeria packing with a winning goal in the 83rd minute.
Shuaibu Amodu – 2010
Amodu’s third stint as Nigeria’s head coach came to an end after he lost to Ghana in the semi-final of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
Although Nigeria claimed bronze in the tournament, NFF lost patience with Amodu after Asamoah Gyan’s only goal condemned Nigeria to a 1-0 defeat in the semi-final.
Augustine Eguavoen – 2022
Eguavoen could not keep his place as Nigeria’s head coach in 2022 after a disappointing result against Ghana in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The 58-year-old took over from Gernot Rohr on an interim basis and his first assignment was against Ghana.
Nigeria played a goalless draw in Accra but lost out on away goals after a 1-1 draw in the return leg that took place in Abuja.
Finidi George?
The Enyimba coach has more than a friendly game in his hands with the position of the Super Eagles head coach still vacant and applications from around still under review by the Nigeria Football Federation.
George could either make or mar his chances of getting to the hot seat with the result in Agadir on Friday, March 22.
