By Mark Ogagan
In what has been dubbed the “Jollof Derby,” West Africa’s oldest football rivalry will be rekindled on Wednesday night when Nigeria’s Super Eagles go head to head against Black Stars of Ghana in the second semi-final of the Unity Cup Invitational Tournament in London .
“Jollof Derby” aptly describes the long-standing rivalry over who makes the best Jollof rice, a delicacy unique to both countries.
On the football pitch however, the best meal is served when these West African giants lock horns in a derby that represents the passion and pride shared by these powerhouses.
In the most recent encounter between the teams, the Super Eagles ended an 18-year win-less run, beating the Black Stars 2-1 in a March 2023 friendly in Marrakech, Morocco, thanks to goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman.
However, that result hardly eased the pain suffered by Nigerian fans and stakeholders when Ghana knocked Nigeria out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff on away goals rule.
Both countries have so much at stake going into the midweek clash, each fully aware of the significance of the outcome.
For Nigeria’s Franco-Malian coach Eric Sekou Chele, it’s a chance to endear himself to Nigerian fans ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifiers resuming in September.
It’s also an opportunity for the Super Eagles to get their acts together and build positive momentum ahead of the qualifying series. Ditto for t
Kick off time at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium is 19h00 Nigerian time.
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