The two African giants square off later this month, and Eguavoen has named his protagonists for the crucial derby
The NFF have released the squad list for the crucial World Cup qualifier double header against the Black Stars of Ghana later this month.
The squad is made up of 25 players- three goalkeepers, eight defenders, five midfielders, and nine attackers. There are also seven players on standby.
Asides the Qatar 2022 tickets, the game is also a battle for pride, as the two sides are arguably the best teams from West Africa.
After the release of the list, some top Ghanaian journalists took to their social media to share their thoughts on Augustine Eguavoen’s squad selection.
The most popular opinion among them was the boisterous attacking prowess of the Super Eagles. However, they also spoke on lack of creativity in the Nigerian midfield.
Strong attack, average defense, okay midfield. A lot of battlers in the middle, little creativity.
Kudus, Duncan, Partey can handle Nigeria's midfield quite comfortably. They just need to STEP UP!! https://t.co/DKMbNwDSOy
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) March 4, 2022
Ahmed Musa
Moses Simon
Samuel Chukwueze
Victor Osimhen
Kelechi Iheabacho
Ademola LookmanStill we go score you!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/cnpd6SsWgD
— Thierry Nyann (@nyannthierry) March 4, 2022
The forwards, the forwards https://t.co/8j4RQ7uTDQ
— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) March 4, 2022
Nigeria are so stacked upfront to the extent that Taiwo Awoniyi, who was their main striker during the AFCON, is on standby.
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) March 4, 2022
Nigeria team to face Ghana in two-legged qualifier includes Osimhen, Dennis, Lookman, Ighalo, Etebo, Balogun (all didn't make AFCON squad for varying reasons).
Balanced team, stronger than the side taken to Cameroon.
Ghana to name squad next week. #JoySports pic.twitter.com/bTdFoRNwvF
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) March 4, 2022
Nigeria bringing 9 forwards 😂😂😂. Scenes if…
— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) March 4, 2022
Also, despite their poor outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, the Ghanaian fans are still confident of a victory against Nigeria.
They couldn’t win the afcon with the same squad 😂😂 Ghana is winning home/away falaaaa
— GoodLuck ☘️💚 (@Uneymar7) March 4, 2022
You guys are talking about how Ghana are going to deal with their attack but not about how they are going to deal with our attack
— S t e v e (@CFCBruyne) March 4, 2022
Attack and vibes Oba, if our boys wants to play football walahi these Nigerians won’t stand a chance.
— Mäyór 👽 (@staticmayorgh) March 4, 2022
The squad no be scary like that ooo …Musah and ighalo all finished ..the defense too no really tight …the midfield is a bit tight with indidi…the rest be
— jamal olu dara jones (@JamalLamarJone2) March 4, 2022
Weak midfield, weak central defense, weak goalkeeping! This team is average at best…. Has no chance to get out of the group in the World Cup !!!
— Ghana Black Stars Fan (@EG47651821) March 4, 2022
Wallahi play this Black Stars squad against Nigeria and we are good to go. Otto Addo watch am well
1. Ibrahim Danlad
2. Leroy Owusu
3. Schlupp
4. Amartey
5. Salisu
6. Djiku
7. J. Paintsil
8. T Partey
9. Semenyo
10. D. Kyereh
11. Mo Kudus…Wallahi we win the match finiii! 😎😎
— Oh Wow!🇬🇭👑 (@o_h_e_n_e_e_e) March 4, 2022
They’re a group of players doing well with their respective clubs in Europe but as a team, not as scary as some people make them seem. With right player selection, good tactics and commitment, we can go past them to Qatar. Tunisia made them look ordinary
— Maxwell Boakye Yiadom (@BrilliantMaxy) March 4, 2022
The AFCON group stage champions are very beatable. This reminds me of our 2006 World Cup game against Czech.
— Kofi Asiedu (@KofiAsiedu_) March 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/EG47651821/status/1499715391802814466?t=4cyPT6bwdvsywvV2aWmD0w&s=19
We hyped them saa in the afcon but to no avail…Ghana will lash them seriously
— Nana Kwame Thomas (@NanaKwameThoma3) March 4, 2022
We're waiting for them. We will beat them black and blue with their stars. God bless our homeland Ghana 🇬🇭 🇬🇭 🇬🇭 🇬🇭 🇬🇭
— Mr Bismark (@danchibsah) March 4, 2022
The Ghanaians will release their squad next week.
Ghanian fan will cause a pressing on thier Black Stars team ; this pressing will form a big anxiety against black stars players on will they beat Super Eagles then advance to the World Cup in Qatar? ;this excessive and overmuch confiedence from Ghanian fan who look at black stars will beat SE easily. Black Stars lack finishing sensibility to the goals look at their partisipation on Afcon. in Cameroon on their goals collection is less than expected, their defence is so shaky; they have been defeated on tow matches.Look at SE attack is so terrible, their midfield and defence are so shaky , they need an overhaul before Ghanian encounter.
Na just see finish be this. Sha 25th no far again
Whoever wins between the two cannot change anything in Qatar. Both teams are weak in many areas. I do not see either Ghana or Nigeria perform better than any European or South American teams. So why all these noise, Black African teams are just there to add the numbers.
Talk is cheap. Ghanians, don’t waste your time playing this your ineffective mind game. It is 11 versus 11 and 90 minutes in each leg. Please, don’t forget your JuJu. Bring the best of them and your mouthful boasts. All make defeating you so sweat.