{"id":1037482,"date":"2022-03-28T19:58:50","date_gmt":"2022-03-28T19:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/03\/28\/why-ghana-will-qualify-for-qatar-2022-in-abuja\/"},"modified":"2022-03-28T19:58:50","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T19:58:50","slug":"why-ghana-will-qualify-for-qatar-2022-in-abuja","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/03\/28\/why-ghana-will-qualify-for-qatar-2022-in-abuja\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Ghana will qualify for Qatar 2022 in Abuja"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Black Stars players<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

On Saturday night, without warning, news spread on social media that several of Ghana\u2019s players were on Instagram Live.<\/p>\n

They were having a team bonding session that\u2019s become customary, ushering in new members of the side by asking them to dance. It was a welcome vibe from the dark cloud that\u2019s hung over the team even before the recent Afcon, and it mirrored the belief ahead of the World Cup qualifying playoff second leg in Abuja.<\/p>\n

Just before the initiation was done, technical advisor Chris Hughton asked all phones to be switched off, after which \u2013 following his own little dance \u2013 he reminded the team of the permutations: he said the Black Stars are going to Nigeria for Ghana\u2019s ticket to the World Cup, either by getting a score draw or by winning outright.<\/p>\n

He needn\u2019t have bothered, because every member of that squad knows what time it is.<\/p>\n

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Ghana paraded inexperienced players in the goalless first leg in Kumasi, as compared to the Nigerian lineup.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the Stars XI (number of caps before the game):\u00a0<\/strong>Jojo Wollacot (6), Denis Odoi (0), Daniel Amartey (36), Alexander Djiku (10), Gideon Mensah (5), Thomas Partey (38), Baba Iddrisu (10), Mohammed Kudus (9), Fatawu Issahaku (5), Jordan Ayew (73), Felix Afena-Gyan (0).<\/p>\n

Only three players had more than 10 caps, as compared to Nigeria, whose XI had five players with 20 or more caps, and nine players with 10 or more:\u00a0<\/strong>Francis Uzoho (17), Ola Aina (20), Will Troost-Ekong (52), Leon Balogun (42), Zaidu Sanusi (8), Innocent Bonke (1), Joe Aribo (11), Moses Simon (42), Samuel Chukwueze (18), Kelechi Iheanacho (36), Victor Osimhen (17).<\/p>\n

For Ghana, underdogs ahead of the tie, to have controlled the game as they did, showed that minor improvements could lead to the result needed.<\/p>\n

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  • The problems will be fixed<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    At the last Afcon, Ghana suffered greatly from coaching lapses. What we witnessed in the first leg was structure and a plan; an attempt at having an identity. But there were a few niggles, and Addo promised to work on them in his post-match presser:<\/p>\n

    \u2022 Late subs: Nigeria completed five subs before Ghana \u2013 who needed fresh ideas as early as the hour mark \u2013 started throwing on new men.<\/p>\n

    \u2022 Set pieces: the Black Stars could have killed the game in a dominant first half, but none of the six corners or three freekicks within range did much damage.<\/p>\n

    \u2022 Ghana can also take a note from the one-touch football Nigeria played for much of the game, rather than over\u2013elaborating when attacking.<\/p>\n

    \u2022 In the words of former Ghana striker Mahatma Otoo: \u201cWe need a clinical striker, one who knows how to run behind defenses and also one who can hold the ball upfront. The players we have are not typical strikers so they don\u2019t know how to move in the box.\u201d<\/p>\n

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    • Super Eagles are very beatable<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Ahead of the series, there was too much respect shown to Nigeria, who are decent, but actually not that good. A few observations:<\/p>\n

      \u2022 Troost-Ekong is rusty due to a lack of game time, and, but for Balogun \u2013 who outdid himself with key interceptions \u2013 the tie would have been done early. If Troost-Ekong starts, Ghana must constantly attack his side of the defense, especially on his weaker left foot.<\/p>\n

      \u2022 Djiku did a number on Osimhen, who completed just one pass in 90 minutes, because the Napoli attacker lacked service to run onto balls as he prefers. In his bid to be productive, he kept playing deep, becoming an easy target by the time he got into dangerous areas. Meanwhile, Iheanacho couldn\u2019t be the crucial link between defensive midfield and attack; Simon and Chuwueze had problems of their own and couldn\u2019t assist, either.<\/p>\n

      \u2022 Nigeria will likely add an extra body in midfield to wrestle control in the second leg. In that case, Ghana cannot afford to have another quiet Partey performance. The Arsenal man lost possession 17 times, more than any other midfielder in the game. It can be argued that he suffered from a lack of movement from his teammates, which will be fair.<\/p>\n

      \u2022 One cannot complain about the desire shown by the Ghana side, and a repeat of that on Tuesday is assured.<\/p>\n

      Beyond pride, beyond banter.
      The winner of this two-legged series is guaranteed this payoff from Fifa: $2 million preparation fee and $10 million guaranteed group stage fee. The 0-0 first leg score means there\u2019s all to play for. This Ghana FA administration have been hit hard by financial pitfalls due to the pandemic and prevailing tough economic conditions.<\/p>\n

      Jordan Ayew is the only player in this Ghana playoff squad to have tasted World Cup football, and the hunger within the camp is unmistakable. By the time the series ends at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, the Black Stars should be heading to a first World Cup since 2014.<\/p>\n

      This means more.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n