Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen said the FIFA World Cup qualification match between Nigeria and Ghana on Tuesday, March 29, is more than football.
Over the years, Nigeria and Ghana have been exhibiting massive rivalry in different segments of life, especially in football. The rivalry was rekindled on March 25, 2022, when Nigeria traveled to Ghana for the first leg of the FIFA World Cup qualification play-off.
At the end of the caging encounter, the Super Eagles of Nigeria returned to Abuja, the country’s Federal Capital Territory, with a 0-0 draw.
The 0-0 draw means that the return leg which is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 on Tuesday is a must-win for both teams. In the forthcoming encounter, there is no room for a draw, a winner must emerge.
Hence, at the end of 90 minutes of football, either Nigeria or Ghana will book a place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup which will commence in Qatar in November.
If the Black Stars of Ghana win the game, it will be seen as a big slap on Nigerians who believe that they currently have the best assembly of talented players in Africa. If the game goes the other way round, Ghanaians on social media will troll Nigerians as much they can.
Aside from the social media trolls the citizens of the defeated side might suffer, many have tagged Nigeria vs Ghana match as a “Jollof derby”. There has been a debate over the years about which country, between Ghana and Nigeria, cooks the best Jollof rice.
Hence, the fans are attempting to use the game to settle the debate which means that any of the two countries that win the match, has the best Jollof rice.
Aside from the pride that comes with beating an age-long rival like the Black Stars of Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday evening, Qatar 2022 ticket is at stake.
Ahead of the game, Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian hitman, told CAFOnline.com that he and his teammates would do their best to stop the Black Stars of Ghana from defeating Nigeria in Abuja.
The 23-year-old striker described the Ghanian team as a great team that should not be underrated, recalling how a lowly rated Central African Republic stunned the Super Eagles in 2021.
Victor Osimhen said: “Ghana is a great team and we will never underrate the team just as we’ve been doing, we saw the upset the Central African Republic gave to us.
“For me, I would do my best, but it’s not just about me, we have some inspirational players in the team like Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo, Kenneth Omeruo, and other great players. With the help of their experience, we’ll be able to actualize this dream.
“We know the importance of the game to us, our families, careers, and the entire nation. This game is more than just football and we will give our best and also try to make sure we have the upper hand.”
Victor Osinhen says it is a blessing to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria:
Victor Osimhen made his international debut on June 10, 2017. Since then, the Napoli striker has scored 10 goals in 18 games in all competitions.
He missed the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) because he contracted the dreaded Covid-19 a few days before the tournament. Unfortunately, the Super Eagles of Nigeria crashed out of the tournament in the round of 16 stage.
Despite the drama behind Victor Osimhen’s Covid-19 infection that made him miss the tournament, he was handed a call-up back to the national team for the 2-legged 2022 World Cup play-off against Ghana.
“To be called up to represent is a dream come true”, Osimhen said. “I will always seize the opportunity to represent the Super Eagles if I’m fit and very much okay.
“To be back to this team is a blessing and I look forward to the matches. I miss the squad so much, I’ve been with the team since 2017, it’s always a great atmosphere with the team.
“That I was not at the AFCON was a big blow to me, but I give thanks to God for whatever situation I find myself in. Now I am back with the team and I want to give my all for the common good of the team.”
So far in the 2021-2022 season, Victor Osimhen who earns €100,000 per week at Napoli has played 25 games in all competitions in which he scored 15 goals and provided four assists for the Italian side. Osimhen’s contract with Napoli will expire on June 30, 2025.
