World Cup Playoff: Black Stars probable lineup against Super Eagles
Ghana held Nigeria to a 0-0 draw at home in Kumasi last Friday in the first leg of the World Cup qualifying playoffs. The result means that the team to join four others to represent Africa in Qatar 2022 will be determined solely inside the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Coach Otto Addo fielded a team of inexperienced players with two of them making their debut. However, the lack of experience was made up for by a team who was desirous and wanted to make a nation of 30 million people proud.
So how will they line up against the Super Eagles today in Abuja? We take a look ahead of the 5 pm kick off.
Goalkeeper: Jojo Wollacott.
The Swindon Town shot-stopper was surprisingly fielded against the Nigerians though there was an experienced pair of hands in Richard Ofori who returned after a long injury layoff. The 24-year-old gave a proper account of himself and rose to the occasion when he was needed though not much was demanded of him by the Nigerians. He will maintain his place.
Left-back: Gideon Mensah
The France-based left full-back was among one of the top performers of the day and Baba Rahman who made the place his own will be watching with concern how he will capture that position back from Mensah. The Girondins Bordeaux defender will hold on to his position this afternoon in Abuja.
Right-back: Denis Odoi
Andy Yiadom was benched for 33-year-old former Belgium international Denis Odoi who was one of the two debutants in the starting XI on Friday. The Club Brugge left-back gave a more than decent account of himself, stifling any forays by the Nigerian wingers into the Black Stars area. He will keep his position against the Super Eagles.
Centre-back: Alexander Djiku
The Strasbourg defender was composed and alert throughout the game. He made Victor Osimhen and the Nigeria attackers look ordinary despite their fame ahead of the match. Having established that strong rapport with Amartey in defence, it will be bizarre to see him not starting again against the Super Eagles. He is guaranteed that spot as long as he is in the team for the match today.
Centre-back: Daniel Amartey
Amartey was rock solid and composed in the defence. His work rate and awareness were very central in muting Napoli forward Victor Osimhen who later complained that Amartey and his defensive partner Alexander Djiku were told by assistant coach George Boateng. Amartey was also one of the experienced heads in the squad with over 30 appearances for the team. He will surely be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Central midfielder: Thomas Partey
Partey is the current figurehead of the team in the absence of Andre Ayew and he was expected to offer more than he actually did on Friday. He lost the ball on 17 occasions, more than any other player on the field that day but that being said and done, it is undeniable that the Arsenal man can turn games on when he is in his full elements. As the captain of the side and leader, he is expected to lead the side out again against their Nigerian counterparts though he will be expected to put in more than he did in Kumasi.
Defensive midfielder: Baba Iddrisu
Baba Iddrisu was ruthless in his work and was all over the pitch. His game was nearly marred by a penalty call against him when he handled the ball in the box. He was later absolved of blame and a freekick was awarded against the Nigerians due to VAR’s intervention. That aside, he was in his top gear and will be expected to even do more today against the under-pressure Eagles in Abuja.
Attacking midfielder: Kudus Mohammed
Kudus’ return to action ahead of the playoffs was seen as a major boost for the team and he slotted straight into the middle of the attacking, playing an advanced role in support of the attack. He was not very lively in the first stanza of the game but improved significantly in the second half to string key passes in the middle of the park.
Left-forward: Jordan Ayew
Ayew is the only member of the squad who has tasted the World Cup before. He has been unproductive in the box, both for club and country and was tasked with supporting AS Roma sensation Afena-Gyan in the attack. Ayew, as is known of him, was good in holding the ball but there was no single link between him and Gyan and that should be worked at today. He also spurned a number of setpieces and that should as well be looked at. Aside from that, he is assured of his place in the starting XI today.
Right-forward: Osman Bukari
Fatawu Issahaku was given the nod in the absence of Andre Ayew but the new Sporting CP winger was unable to exert his authority in the game as expected. Bukari came in for him late on and had no time to show his quality but Otto Addo would love to take the gamble and play the winger from the start today with Issahaku waiting for an appearance in the second half.
Striker: Felix Afena Gyan
An injury to the forward late on in the game prompted a wild reaction from Ghanaians who praised him for his composure and contribution though it was his first time with the team, He travelled and trained with the team and if there is no late fitness scare, he is expected to maintain his place as the arrowhead in the attack.
