Where the game will be won and lost - Ghana vs Nigeria

 Where the game will be won and lost - Ghana vs Nigeria

 

While both nations will relish the prospect of outdoing the other for a World Cup berth, claiming bragging rights in this regional derby represents one of the narratives heading into this double-header.

Having largely underperformed at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana and Nigeria seek a response to early exits in Cameroon.

Securing the ticket to Qatar will undoubtedly soften the blow of the respective group stage and Round of 16 exits at the finals, but only one side can come out on top.

While it would be easy to go along with the backline that featured at Afcon 2021, it is not quite simple.

Of the starting quartet in Cameroon — William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina — only the Porto left-back has received significant game time since the continental showpiece.

The Watford centre-back has not played for the Hornets since New Year’s Day, Aina has not played for Torino this year and Omeruo has failed to kick a ball for Leganes in the last five games.

With Augustine Eguavoen unlikely to make too many changes to the team from Afcon, this poses questions owing to the aforementioned players’ fitness before facing Ghana.