Nigeria faced Ghana in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers in a game played at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The game played on the 29th of July, 2001 saw the Nigerians chasing a ticket to the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup.
The Super Eagles had qualified for the two previous World Cups, for the first time in 1994 where they shone brightly and the second time in 1998.
Nigeria took on the Ghanaians and hardly let them settle before drawing the first blood.
Former Super Eagles and Schalke 04 attacker, Victor Agali scored as early as the first minute to send the Port Harcourt fans in raptures. It was more than a perfect beginning to the game.
Former Ajax Amsterdam attacker, Tijani Babangida scored the second in the 18th minute and doubled his tally in the game in the 32nd minute after pouncing on a loose ball from the defence.
It took the Super Eagles just above half an hour to dispatch the Ghanaians off and further condemn them in a group that had Liberia breathing down Nigeria’s neck. Others in the group were Sudan and Sierra Leone.
Nigeria finished top of the group with 16 points having drawn one, won five and lost two of their games.
The Super Eagles lost to Sierra Leone in Freetown and Liberia in Monrovia but took four points from Ghana in both games.
Sunday Oliseh, captain of the Super Eagles at the time commented on that particular game and revealed what Nigeria’s President at the time, Olusegun Obasanjo told him.
I will always remember What President Obasanjo said to me as i led Nigeria out for this game.."Oliseh,you can see captaining this great country is not easy, like it is Ruling it,You must win this match"… Great Memories & Naija forever https://t.co/bdanMypKLt
— Sunday Oliseh (@SundayOOliseh) March 23, 2022
The players who started the game for the Super Eagles were; Ike Shorunmu, Joseph Yobo, Taribo West, Ifeanyi Udeze, Sunday Oliseh, Justice Christopher, Jayjay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Tijani Babangida, Finidi George and Victor Agali.
Yobo, who later captained the Super Eagles is one of the assistant coaches in the Nigerian national side now.
Nigeria will face Ghana again at the World Cup qualifier for the first time in more almost two decades.
Video Source: 1986 Soccernan
