Tonight, Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia will lead his side out against their fiercest rivals in African football- the Black Stars of Ghana, in a friendly match at the Vicarage Road Stadium in London, as he attempts to go against all odds with his star players facing injuries and visa issues.

Siasia’s troubles seem to increase as news filtered in that No. 1 goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, was unable to secure a visa to enter England for this important match. Also, striker Ekigho Ehiosun, midfielder Fegor Ogude and defender Efe Ambrose have also been denied entry. To make matters worse, Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi joined West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie on Nigeria’s injury list ahead of the fixture. Fulham man, Dickson Etuhu also contributed his quota by reportedly turning down a late call up from Siasia.

The Super Eagles gaffer will have to look at other options if he intends to avenge the 4-1 loss suffered by the Nigerian side, four years ago. That result was the beginning of three back-to-back defeats in the hands of their eternal rivals.

While both sides have seen changes in their different setups, the momentum for bragging rights swing heavily in the direction of the Ghanaians. The Ghanaians are ranked number three in Africa right now – two places ahead of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Super Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia, has also acknowledged that his team’s opponents are the best from the continent.
‘The Black Stars of Ghana are a big side in Africa at the moment. That we cannot deny because at the last World Cup in South Africa, they were the best-performing side. So we expect a difficult game from them.’
‘Games against Ghana have always been tough and I know that from my days as a player and at this point we will want to avoid defeat for the sake of pride.’

The only plus for the Super Eagles going into Tuesday’s international friendly against their rivals is that since Siasia took charge of the Nigerian men’s national team they are yet to suffer a defeat. The coach has been famed for developing a way of winning the loyalty and respect of his squad and this has translated into success on the field.

The match kicks off at 8pm at the Watford Football Club’s 89-year-old 18,000-seater Vicarage Road ground.

Head-To-Head Clashes
January 28, 2010: Ghana 1 – 0 Nigeria (Afcon)
February 3, 2008: Ghana 2 – 1 Nigeria (Afcon)
February 6, 2007: Nigeria 1 – 4 Ghana (Friendly)
January 23, 2006: Nigeria 1 – 0 Ghana (Afcon)
February 3, 2002: Nigeria 1 – 0 Ghana (Afcon)
May 30, 2003: Nigeria 3 – 1 Ghana (Friendly)
December 15, 2002: Ghana 0 – 1 Nigeria (Friendly)
February 3, 2002: Nigeria 1 – 0 Ghana (Afcon)
July 29, 2001: Nigeria 3 – 0 Ghana (WCQ)
March 11, 2001: Ghana 0 – 0 Nigeria (WCQ)
August 28, 1999: Nigeria 0 – 0 Ghana (Friendly)
March 9, 1994: Nigeria 0 – 0 Ghana (Friendly)
January 23, 1992: Nigeria 1 – 2 Ghana (Afcon)
April 13, 1991: Nigeria 0 – 0 Ghana (Afcon qualifier)
September 2, 1990: Ghana 1 – 0 Nigeria (Afcon qualifier)
February 6, 1987: Nigeria 1- 2 Ghana (Wafu Cup)
October 30, 1983: Nigeria 1 – 2 Ghana (Olympic qualifier)
March 8, 1978: Nigeria 1 – 1 Ghana (Afcon)
August 31, 1975: Ghana 3 – 0 Nigeria (Ghana Festival)
August 24, 1975: Ghana 1-2 Nigeria (Ghana Festival)
February 25, 1973: Ghana 0 – 0 Nigeria (WCQ)
February 10, 1973: Nigeria 0 – 2 Ghana (WCQ)
May 18, 1969: Ghana 1 – 1 Nigeria (WCQ)
May 10, 1969: Nigeria 2 – 1 Ghana (WCQ)
October 21, 1967: Nigeria 2 – 1 Ghana (Azikiwe Cup)
September 28, 1967: Nigeria 1 – 1 Ghana (Friendly)
February 12, 1967: Nigeria 2 – 0 Ghana (Azikiwe Cup)
November 7, 1965: Nigeria 3 – 0 Ghana (Azikiwe Cup)
February 23, 1963: Nigeria 5 – 0 Ghana (Nkrumah Cup)
December 17, 1961: Nigeria 5 – 1 Ghana (Friendly)
June 1, 1961: Nigeria 3 – 0 Ghana (Friendly)
April 30, 1961: Nigeria 2 – 2 Ghana (Afcon qualifier)
September 28, 1960: Nigeria 4 – 1 Ghana (WCQ)
September 10, 1960: Nigeria 2 – 2 Ghana (WCQ)
August 28, 1960: Ghana 4 – 1 Nigeria (WCQ)
November 21, 1959: Nigeria 5 – 2 Ghana (Jalco Cup)
October 25, 1959: Nigeria 4 – 1 Ghana (Olympic qualifier)
October 27, 1957: Nigeria 3 – 3 Ghana (Jalco Cup)
October 30, 1955: Nigeria 7 – 0 Ghana (Jalco Cup)
October 11, 1953: Nigeria 1 – 0 Ghana (Jalco Cup)
May 28, 1950: Nigeria 1 – 0 Ghana (Friendly)