Ghana’s Black Stars host Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the first leg of their 2022 World Cup playoffs on Friday in Kumasi.

The Austin Eguavoen-led Super Eagles side will head into the game seeking to get one over their West African counterparts and strengthen their qualification chances ahead of the second leg in Abuja.

Ghana will also be hoping to put their underwhelming run at the AFCON behind them as they turn their sights to the World Cup qualifying playoffs, against rivals Nigeria after narrowly clinching first place in Group G of the qualifiers.

Nigeria head into Friday’s game fresh off the back of a last-16 exit from the Africa Cup of Nations after they suffered a 1-0 loss against Tunisia courtesy of Youssef Msakni‘s solitary strike.

Prior to that defeat, the Super Eagles were on a six-game unbeaten run, claiming one draw and five wins, including three in their three AFCON group-stage games.

Ghana possible starting lineup:
Wollacott; Mensah, Amartey, Djiku, Yiadom; Thomas Partey, Wakaso; Paintsil, Kudus, Antwi-Adjei; Wriedt

Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Uzoho; Sanusi, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Aina; Onyeka, Aribo, Iheanacho; Lookman, Moses Simon; Osimhen.

Prediction

Ghana 1-2 Nigeria