Ghana coach Otto Addo says his team is ready and in good shape for Friday’s 2022 World Cup playoff match against Nigeria.
Despite hosting, the Black Stars are the underdogs in this match, with Nigeria the favourites due to their recent form.
Both teams competed in Cameroon earlier this year for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations trophy, but Ghana failed to qualify from their group, while Nigeria were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Tunisia after demonstrating their quality to win all of their group games, including the opener against runners-up Egypt.
Some Ghanaians doubt Black Stars’ ability to defeat the Super Eagles and qualify for Qatar.
“It is reasonable that people are sceptical. It is normal. But in all of the scepticism, there is a chance. Football is football. We can play good and lose. We can play bad and win. We have worked hard. The players are ready, ”Otto Addo told media on Thursday.
“I have had enough time. The players are ready and in good shape. We have done a lot in training and I hope that we can show what we done to Ghanaians,” he added.
The Black Stars held their final training session on Thursday, with one of their key players, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, out due to injury.
The game begins at 7:30 p.m. local time at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The second leg is scheduled for next week Tuesday 29 March at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Head-to-Head
Ghana have the upper hand here, with 21 wins to Nigeria’s 10. In fact, the Super Eagles have not beaten the Black Stars since 2006.
The Black Stars have won three of the last four games between the two sides, with the other game ending in a draw.
