Ghana and Nigeria will be in West African derby tonight in the first leg of their World Cup play-off tie. This first game between the two heavyweights is scheduled for a 19:30 GMT this Friday March 25, 2022 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. The Black Stars are playing at home.

Ghana had an AFCON campaign to forget. And they’ll be hoping they can forget about it as they try and secure their place in Qatar. They finished bottom of their group, managing just a single point from three matches, with Andre Ayew dismissed as they bowed out with an embarrassing defeat to lowly Comoros.

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Nigeria completed a seamless group stage in Cameroon playing some fine attacking football, though promptly suffered a last-16 defeat to Tunisia. They had some more impressive performances though and will fancy their chances of booking a spot in Qatar later this year.

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Kamaldeen Sulemana misses out for Ghana due to injury, while Andre Ayew is suspended in what is a huge blow for his country. His absence means there will be even more pressure on brother Jordan Ayew to lead the line.

Francis Uzoho is expected to start in goal for Nigeria, with Maduka Okoye out through illness. Wilfried Ndidi will also be absent, after the Leicester midfielder picked up an injury that could rule him out for the rest of the season.

Odion Ighalo, Emmanuel Dennis and Ademola Lookman are all in the squad, having not been a part of the AFCON team.

During their previous meetings Ghana won 21 games with 18 draws while Nigeria won 10 times.