Ghana held Nigeria to a 1-1 drawn game in the second leg of the FIFA World Cup qualification play – off between the two West African nations in Abuja to qualify for the finals of the 2022 World Cup to be staged in Qatar later this year.
Arsenal midfielder – who was not so influential in the first leg – struck from the outside the box to put Ghana ahead in the 12th minute but the Super Eagles equalized from the spot eight minutes later thanks to a VAR awarded penalty taken by Nigeria skipper Troost Ekong.
Both teams created several chances and we could have seen more goals but the Black Stars held on to qualify with a 1-1 aggregate score line.
Here are five things we learned from the game at the Moshood Abiola Sports Stadium.
1.Audition has passed his audition
Two games against Nigeria, Otto Addo is unbeaten and he has qualified the Black Stars to the FIFA World Cup. The former Dortmund assistant manager has proven to all that he is the right man to take over the national team coaching role from Milovan Rajevac.
2.Thomas Partey proves his mettle
Silent in the first leg in Kumasi the Arsenal midfielder finally stepped up in a big game for Ghana. Not only did he score the much important goal for the Black Stars but his overall performance was impressive. He led the the team to secure a historic World Cup qualification against arch rivals Nigeria.
3.The Black Stars spirit is coming back
Clearly the spirit of the Black Stars is coming back. To go two games unbeaten against this quality Nigeria team is a big statement that the Black Stars of Ghana – winners of the four AFCON trophies – are coming back to their top level.
4.Victor Osimhem fails
The Napoli striker was hugely hyped before and during these two games but Osimhem who is involved in 19 goals this season for his Serie A club failed to make a big mark coming up against the back line of the Black Stars.
5.Joseph Wollacot is indeed Ghana number 1
In the two games against Nigeria, Wollacot started and did not concede a goal from open play. He has always not a convincing name to start in the Ghana goal but those doubts will definitely start to fade away from the minds of many following his massive performance this evening in Abuja.
