Qatar 2022 W/ Cup playoff: Rufai offers tips on how to stop Ghana

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

With few weeks  to the Qatar 2022 World Cup playoff against the Black Stars of Ghana former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai  has charged the team  handlers to map out a tactical approach to both games for them to stand a chance of  qualifying Nigeria for  the Mundial.

Rufai told newstap.com.ng that he is expecting a tough match from the two perennial football rivals but was quick to add that this is the time Coaches Austin Eguavoen, Emmanuel Amuneke, Joseph Yobo and other members of the technical crew to rise to the occasion and map out a tactical approach that will subdue the Ghanaians.

“It’s  common knowledge that football involving both countries is like going to war and always difficult to predict and in this type of scenario only the coach with the best tactical approach will carry the day and that’s what I want our coaches to understand.

“They should bear in mind that West African countries play almost the same pattern of football and as such, they should seat down as a team, critically analyse what happened at the last AFCON finals in Cameroon and come out with the best tactical approach to the games.”

He cautioned the team not to under rate the Black Stars based on their current form as doing so could be dangerous and counter productive.

“l know that many people think that  the Black Stars are no longer a strong opponent following their poor showing at the just concluded AFCON finals but I believe that they have the capacity to make amends and inject new players into their team. Its also on record that once they’re playing Nigeria, they put in their best  and as such it won’t be an easy task.”

Rufai however is optimistic that with adequate preparation, good team selection and determination on the part of the Super Eagles, they will surmount the odds and pick a ticket to the World Cup.

The first leg of the Ghana/Nigeria play off comes up on March 25 in Cape Coast while the return leg would be decided at the Abuja National Stadium on March 29.