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Mother of all battles

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African football has over the years served up its fair share of compelling rivalries, but Ghana versus Nigeria outshines them all.

These two nations just love to knock the living daylights out of each other (in anything), but more so on a football pitch.

In my opinion, their rivalry is the one by which all others are measured and the Africa Cup of Nations will heat up on Sunday when they collide in a quarter-final tie in Accra.

As one Ghanaian journalist put it on TV the other day, "this is the only game that matters to every Ghanaian".

There is, indeed, something tasty about a confrontation between these two West African neighbours - particularly at the Nations Cup – where more than bragging rights is at stake.

“We Nigerians just love to beat Ghana even though they taught us the game in the first place,” said Segun Odegbami, a member of Nigeria’s 1980 Nations Cup winning side.

We can argue endlessly about the football pedigrees of these two arch-rivals but there can be no question about the interest and passion this fixture invokes in both countries.

So, come Sunday, fans in both countries will decorate their faces, put on their national colours and perform whatever rituals needed to spur their teams to victory.

There is no bad blood between Ghanaians and Nigerians – just a deep-rooted desire to be regarded as both the regional and continental top dogs.

There is an element of respect to this rivalry, though, with Nigeria envying Ghana’s four Nations Cup titles and Ghana envying the success of Nigerian players abroad.

Sunday will not be the first time these two teams have met at the Nations Cup – they have confronted each other five times at African football’s flagship tournament.

Their last meeting was as recent as the 2006 finals in Egypt where the Super Eagles won 1-0 in the group stage, to add to their previous victories in 1984 and 2002.

Ghana’s only win came at the 1992 finals, courtesy of a magical goal from Abedi Pele, but the Black Stars have not beaten their rivals in a competitive fixture since.

Not surprisingly, I have lost count of the number of Nigerians who gleefully point out that “history is against Ghana” going into Sunday’s showdown at the Ohene Djan stadium.

Overall, the two teams have met 59 times. Ghana lead with 24 wins to Nigeria’s 16, with the other 19 matches ending in draws.

That said, there is no point in denying the fact that the 60th confrontation sees the Black Stars take on a Nigerian side that looked extremely vulnerable in their group campaign.

But one cannot help having the impression that despite their woeful form thus far, the Super Eagles are still capable of turning this Nations Cup on its head.

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comment by miss a (U2683214)

posted Feb 3, 2008

Even as a chelsea fan, i must say Mikel has not just disgraced himself with his spiritless and pathetic display but his family. the guy was holding onto the ball needlessly for too long and inviting Muntari to take it from him.

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comment by Mwanga (U10919999)

posted Feb 3, 2008

I followed the game on the french channel. Everybody was saying that the ref favoured Ghana. In addition to the fact Vogts has killed the Nigerian football team it is a miracle they were still there.

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comment by miss a (U2683214)

posted Feb 3, 2008

Any coach that plays Yakubu for 90mins of every game even with his pathetic football noeds to be sacked.
Whoever employed Vorts should be put in front of a firing squad.
I must say ghana deserved their win, the went for every ball even with 1 player less

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comment by peesonjam (U10983530)

posted Feb 3, 2008

Suffering snakes!!! The Super Eagles were simply no match for the hot Ghanians. Like someone has said they should be called Super Chickens.Can somebody please wake me up from this bad dream!!!The Eagles looked like limp school boys compared to the Ghanains.As it is there is no hope of qualifying for South Africa 2010!! For crying out where are these crop of super chickens from? From Naija? I doubt. Who takes the blame now, the players or the coach? God please save Naija we are going downhill in everything except corruption!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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comment by finalsayer (U10983660)

posted Feb 3, 2008

Well done Black Stars, we beat the Green Eagles with 10 players against 11. Spare the ref. you little green birds and go home and lick you wounds.We knew you would have loads of excuses after we have beaten you, do'nt you loosers forget, if you stay in Ghana,you are bound to support us till the end.Anyway some cheap amala for you at Labone junction.IGUEEEEE.

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comment by seandragzgh (U10972393)

posted Feb 3, 2008

WHEN U THINK ALL HAS ENDED WITH BLACK STARS,THURR U SEE THEM SHININ.WHERE FROM THESE "CHICKENS" CLAIMIN TO BE EAGLES MOREOVER ADDIN' SUPER,OH GEE ,MAKES ME LAUGH,HAHAA!!
THESE NAIJAS CAN JUST CUM HERE N' BEAT US,"TOFIAKWA" AS THEY [IBOS]WUD SAY.LET ME REPEAT THESE ONCE MORE,THUR'S NO WAY N' NO OTHER CHANNEL,THESE SUPER CHICKENS CUD HAV BEATEN US.ALL N' SUNDRY CUD SEE HOW THEY WITH THE HELP OF THAT BASTARD ALGERIAN REF[MAKIN' 12 PLAYAS]WERE TRYIN TO FRUSTRATE US.1.THE PENALTY WAS CONTROVERSIAL 2.RED CARD,I'M SURPRISED.LET ME TELL THOSE DOOM MONGERS OUT THURR THAT WE'LL ALWAYS SHINE NOT ONLY IN FOOTBALL BUT IN ACADEMICS,EVERYTHIN'.WE'RE NEVER GUD IN CORRUPTION AS NIGERIANS ARE.CAN U IMAGINE THIS,TRYIN' TO BUY A REFEREE.IF THE NFA THINKS WE DON'T WE'VE HEARD ALL HERE IN ACCRA.
GO AND CHOP URR EBA N' FIND SUM PLACE TO LAY UR HEADS U CHICKENS ,..OH 4GIV BUT I THINK CHICKENS EAT CORN RATHER,I THINK THE NAIJAS ARE CONSIDERIN EATIN CORN INSTEAD OF EBA.
I JUST HEARD GHANAIANS ARE BEIN' BEATEN N' TORTURED RIGHT NOW IN NAIJALAND.COME ON ,THIS' A GAME OF SOCCER,MA BROTHERS[NAIJAS],WE'LL NEVER DO THIS IN GHANA,WE'RE PEACEFUL PEOPLE CUS WE'RE CIVILISED.
BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME!!

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comment by Koisha73 (U10969289)

posted Feb 4, 2008

Ghana deserved the 2-1 win over Nigeria in the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations. Gravo the Black Stars smiley

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comment by ikekorede (U10979103)

posted Feb 4, 2008

To say am ashemed of the super eagles will be an understatement,i think they are bunch of old men and they need to retire right now or maybe they have chop too much money.They were the worest players in this year nation cup,i hope the NFA will do something about them b4 the world cup takes place so that we can be safe another disgrace.

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comment by squareNat (U10985084)

posted Feb 4, 2008

How can you guys be talking about our super chickens like that ..Oops, sorry, i meant super eagles. At least they showed up at the competition without complaining and even managed to put on their boots. Lets just hope they dont miss their way back to their clubs for those of them playing abroad. And for those playing at home (if there is any)...I'm sure a welcome party is being prepared for them.

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comment by banahene (U10969781)

posted Feb 4, 2008

The Nigerians were beaten by a far more, well organised 100& efficient team. A team that was ready to die for its nation, a team that did put on an extra 10% to overcome their enemies, a team that went down to 10 men but still managed to win. It reminds me of the Biblical Gideon (in the book of Judges)who won a fight with just 300 men. Ghana could have beaten Nigeria with just4 men, it is the team spirit and dedication that counts.

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