Nigeria vs Ghana
29 March 1800hrs
Football – International – World Cup Qualifying
Pick Ghana
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 14/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Sunday 27 March
There was nothing to separate Nigeria and Ghana in their first leg on Friday and the two will now face off on Tuesday for a place in this winter’s World Cup.
Table of Contents
Nigeria – Can Nigeria take advantage of playing at home to reach a fourth consecutive World Cup?
It was near enough mission accomplished for Nigeria in the first leg by avoiding defeat and prepare for the home match on level terms. The Super Eagles would have liked to have gotten a vital away goal to enhance their chances further. But considering their recent record against this opponent, they will take what they got. The challenge for Nigeria now is to complete the job and reach a fourth World Cup finals in succession.
Taking it back further, it is five appearances in the last six attempts where they have reached the knockout stages on a couple of occasions, most recently in 2014 when they were eliminated by France.
Ghana Preview – Will Ghana’s fine record over their hosts continue?
Ghana’s African Cup of Nations performance could barely have been much given them a really poor preparation for their hopes of returning to the World Cup after missing out on Russia 2018. Before that, they had qualified for each of the the finals between 2006 and 2014 in what was a golden period for the Ghanaian national team. The most memorable of those experiences was the 2010 venture to the quarter-finals and the infamous clash against Uruguay.
That is a long way off for Otto Addo and his players, though, who now have to find a way to get that all important away goal which is still in situ for these playoffs.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions 
Click here for more Betting Tips
Their ill-fated AFCON campaign seen them fail to win any of their group stage matches and go out at the first phase. An embarrassing defeat against minnows Comoros was the final nail in the coffin. Addo was brought in immediately after that humiliation for these games. He is combining this role with his assistant manager duties at Borrusia Dortmund.
The veteran Jordan Ayew continues to lead the line for Ghana. He’s got 18 goals for the national team but his last international goal will be exactly a year and one day when he takes to the field for this match.
Nigeria vs Ghana Betting Advice
It was one of the biggest rivalries in African football and in some ways a shame that both of these teams are not able to make it through to the finals considering they have been regular features at recent World Cups. The two will also feel they are in a decent position. Nigeria have home advantage and the scores are level. Whilst Ghana know that in what is likely to be a very tight contest, one goal for them would leave their opponents needing two.
Much has been made of Nigeria’s poor record against Ghana. Their last win was back in 2006 but their last competitive victory was all the way back in 1973 and that is bound to place even more pressure on them.
Key Facts – Nigeria vs Ghana Betting Tip
- Nigeria conceded just three goals in six matches in the last round of qualification
- Friday’s first leg draw means Ghana have now failed to win any of their last five games
- The visitors are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two, a run stretching back 15 years
With that record and the fact they have a history of not fulfilling their potential, I’m happy to side with Ghana in this one.
Best Betting Odds for Nigeria vs Ghana
