Amaju Pinnick: NFF President confident of Nigeria victory over Ghana in Playoff second leg
President of the Nigerian Football Federation Amaju Pinnick believes the Super Eagles will comfortably beat Ghana in Abuja and qualify for the World Cup.
The Super Eagles were held by the Black Stars to a goalless draw on Friday night in the first leg of their World Cup playoff at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The NFF boss feels Nigeria were unlucky and will take their chances in the return leg at the Masshood Abiola stadium.
“I know we should and will win convincingly at home. Our team is the better but we were unfortunate today,” Mr. Pinnick said after the game.
Nigeria have since left for Abuja to resume preparations ahead of the second leg on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars will return to Accra on Saturday for a little shake up at the Accra Sports stadium before leaving for Abuja on Sunday. Ghana will travel via a chattered flight.
The Black Stars will then train at the Mashood Abiola stadium on Monday, the venue for the crucial second leg.
In the first leg at the Baba Yara sports stadium, coach Otto Addo handed debuts to Dennis Odoi and Felix Afena-Gyan, both of whom impressed.
Ghana had chances to take the lead, with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Mohammed Kudus coming close at either side of the half.
Afena-Gyan could have give Ghana the lead deep in second half after a corner kink from Kudus evaded everyone.
Meanwhile, Nigeria gave Ghana a scare when the referee awarded a penalty only for the decision to be reversed by VAR.
The second leg will be played on Tuesday night at the Mashood Abiola stadium.
