5 Things You Need To Know About Ghana Vs Nigeria Rivalry
Ghana and Nigeria are similar in a lot of ways. Colonised by the Brits, the two African countries have a lot of similarities in terms of culture, religion, language, music, food and sports.
The contention as to who is the better side in football returns as the Black Stars of Ghana face the Super Eagles of Nigeria over two legs in the race for the Qatar 2022 World Cup ticket.
The Black Stars will first welcome their long-aged rivals on March 25 at Baba Yara stadium, then four days later, Super Eagles will host the Ghanaians at M.K.O Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on March 29, at 6 pm Nigerian time.
As the two teams lock horns, here are 5 things you need to know about their rivalry on and off the football pitch.
Over half a century of football Rivalry.
The first recorded official football encounter between the two Nations was a friendly match that took place on October 16, 1950 in Accra, Gold Coast, as Ghana was then called. The friendly ended in a 1-nil defeat against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Fast forward to October 20, 1951. Nigeria welcomed Ghana to Lagos for the Jalco Cup and defeated their visitors 5 goals to nil.
World Cup Appearance
In the 92 years since the first world cup was held in Montevideo, Uruguay, Nigeria has qualified six times while Ghana has appeared in the tournament three times.
The first World Cup qualifying match where both teams encountered each other was held in Accra on August 27, 1960, where Nigeria lost 4-1 to Ghana. The second leg for the qualification was played in Lagos on September 10, 1960, and the Ghanaians forced the Super Eagles to a draw.
Nigeria’s first appearance in the world cup was in 1994 and had since made it to the biggest football tournament in the world except in 2006.
The Black Stars have made it to the World Cup three times, with their first in 2006. In 2010, Ghana became the third African country to reach the quarter-finals in a World Cup.
A total of 56 meetings
With a total of 56 meetings since 71-year-old of football tussle, Ghana leads with 25 wins and 19 draws while the Super Eagles tag along with 12 wins over the Black Stars. Ghana’s biggest victory over Nigeria was a humiliating 7-0 against the Super Eagles in the Jalco Cup of 1955.
Also, in the last four matches between the two nations, Ghana reigned supreme with three wins and one draw.
In the 2010 African Cup of Nations held in Angola, Ghana reached the finals after beating Nigeria 1 goal to nil, in what was a breathtaking encounter. However, Ghana lost to the Pharaohs of Egypt in the finals.
Away from the game of football and into social media, Ghanaians and Nigerians are like two cute little sisters that occasionally engage in hilarious feuds.
The Jollof rice war
The #Jollofwar is one of Nigeria-Ghana’s hysterical bants that citizens of both countries engaged in. Often framed in two pictures, one part of the picture would show a well garnished, salivating jollof rice, while the other frame would have a picture of a not too appetising Jollof. The post is often tagged Ghana Jollof Vs Nigerian Jollof or Nigerian Jollof Vs Ghana Jollof.
The Music industry.
The rivalry between these two nations also extends to music. Nigerian musicians often perform in Accra, Ghana, with many Ghanaian artists collaborating with Nigerian musicians. Patoranking featured the Ghanaian star Sarkodie in his hit song ‘No Kissing Baby’. Nigeria award-winning music star Wizkid also featured the Ghanaian singer and songwriter Efta, in his song ‘Daddy Yo.’
But the barter sometimes can turn unhealthy. To pacify a flaming beef ignited by Shatty Wale, who has accused Nigerian musicians of not doing enough to promote Ghanaian artists in Nigeria, Wizkid reminded fans of both countries that Ghana and Nigerians are the same people.
“It is one Africa, Man. We move together in numbers, baby. And I want you guys to know it is one love, one Africa. Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, we are all the same people,” he said during a recent performance in Accra, Ghana.
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