The first leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs between Ghana and Nigeria ended in a goalless draw on Friday night at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
The West African rivals are gunning for one of Africa's tickets to the mundial at the packed stadium and the return leg at the National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday will decide the eventual qualifier.
The first half ended scoreless albeit both sides had their chances to score.
Victor Osimhen’s outstretched leg was unable to connect with the ball after Zaidu Sanusi's tantalizing cross in the 21st minute.
Rangers' Joe Aribo was teed up by Innocent Bonke with five to play in the first half but the execution was poor as he skied the ball high.
The hosts had their own chances, the best of them being Issahaku Abdul Fatawu's fierce shot in the 33rd minute which was matched by Francis Uzoho's elastic save for a Black Stars' corner.
The Eagles conceded possession more often than the hosts in the second half and were denied the chance to play a penalty when the ball hit a Ghanaian defender from Oghenekaro Etebo's effort.
However referee Redouane Jiyed from Morocco overruled it as VAR spotted a foul on the Ghanaian prior to that.
Izuchukwu Michael
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