Nigeria will go into their semi final clash at the on going Chan 2014 Championship against the Black Stars buoyed by their near miraculous come from behind him win against Morocco and will hope to edge out Coach Maxwell Konadu and his charges. The Super Eagles will look to beat their neigbours and rivals for the first time in a senior competitive match since 2010.
The clash is another meeting of two eternal rivals, and the West African derby promises to be a tough contest as both coaches have been talking tough in the build up to the match.
Nigeria and Ghana's journey to the final has been a case of contrasting fortunes as Nigeria's debut in the tournament looked to be over before the tournament started as the Super Eagles lost to Mali 2-1 in their first Group A game but bounced back to hit seven goals in two games to reach the quarters.
Ghana on the other hand have been goal shy ,albeit the Blacks Stars have been solid defensively only allowing one goal into their net as against Nigeria's four in the group stages.
Head to Head in all competitions
Nigeria's rivalry with Ghana is as old as the two countries and has been nothing short of exciting and is unarguably the best derby in West Africa.
The first real competitive match between Ghana and Nigeria took place on August 28, 1960, according to Fifa's official website., but other historians date it back to May 28, 1950 where Nigerian won via a lone goal.
Ghana has been Nigeria's nemesis in very vital matches on the continent and the last time Nigeria beat Ghana in a senior competitive match was at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where the Eagles won by 1-0.
The most recent game between the two countries ended in favor of the Black Stars on January 28, 2010: where Ghana won 1 - 0 at the Africa Cup of Nations Run to the semis
Ghana started their 2014 Chan campaign with a lone goal victory over Congo followed by a 1-1 draw against Libya and then edging out Ethiopia via a penalty kick.
Another penalty goal was all the Black Stars needed to edge out DR Congo in the decisive quarter-final match.
Nigeria has put four goals past at leats two opponents prior to this stage. Apart from The 2-1 reverse against Mali in the first group game, Nigeria has chalked up 12 goals while conceding eight. Surely a contrast of styles might be in the offing.
Injury report:
Nigeria's Ikenna Paul Hilary is out of the tournament proper and pacy attacker Gbolahan Salami is a major doubt after picking up a knock in the semi final against Morocco. Shehu Abdullahi, who was substituted against Morocco has recovered from his knock and is available for selection. Solomon Kwanbe is however back and available for selection.
Ghana will welcome back Michael Akuffo, Abeiku Ainooson and Kwabena Adusei who picked up knocks in the quarter-final match with DR Congo and will be available for selection.
What the coaches are saying:
Keshi:" "This one was something else though. I just want to say thanks to my players for the character and the mentality that they brought in the second half, they're just awesome."
Keshi said the secret to the stunning fightback was to pay less respect to their opponents after the sides came out for the second half. (After the Morocco game)
"Morocco is Morocco, that chapter is closed, we have forgotten about it. Ghana is what is on our minds now." (On the Ghana game)
Konadu: "It is important to acknowledge that we have been winning. That is why we are progressing in this competition. The progress comes as a result of wins and the wins come because we have been scoring. Even if it is one goal that is what has brought us to this point," he said.
"Our attack has been such that we only manage one goal per match, but we have been defending very well. That for me is a sign of a team that is progressing and I don't think it is a bad thing to defend very well.
"It is also important to score goals but in cases when you score one goal in a match and manage to defend it, that means you will win."
Probable line-ups: Nigeria - Agbim; Kwambe, Egwuekwe, Odunlami, Esieme, Uzochukwu, Ali, Shehu, Ede, Imenger
Ghana: Adams, Ainooson, Nuru, Adusei, Tijani, Akuffu, Jordan, Attobrah, Annorbaah, Bancey , Yahaya
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