By Victor Kanayo
Another soccer anxiety is mounting in both Accra and Marrakech, two cities billed to host two West Afican, but rivalry-entangled countries – Nigeria and Ghana.
The first encounter for the West African sides, separated by two French neighbours – Benin Republic and Togo, will be when they clash in the final of the ongoing 13th African Games football final event at Cape Coast late Thursday night.
The crunch battle is expected to produce the overall football winners and gold medallists at the Games, with the losers settling for Silver – meaning it will not be a winner takes it all at the end, unlike when Ghana defeated Nigeria to deny Africa’s most populous nation a ticket to the 2022 FIFA World Cup which held in Qatar.
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About 24 hours later, the two rival proximity nations will trade tackles again, this time, in an international friendly match at stade de Marrakech, Morocco.
For the African Games women’s final, it will be Nigeria’s Falconets versus the Black Princesses of Ghana, while the friendly encounter will see the Super Eagles confront Black Stars – all men affair.
Ahead of the matches, there have been permutations here and there with Ghanaians holding firm believe that their players will come out victorious after all, though nothing is as stake during the Friday engagement.
What History Says
However, based on precedent, any involvement between the two sides always end up fiercely contested with either a draw or a slim margin win.
Further historical statistics revealed that Nigeria and Ghana have played 56 times in all tournaments, including friendly matches.
Ghana had emerged Victors against Nigeria 25 times, with Nigeria winning only 12 of the matches. On 19 occasions, matches between the two finished in a tie.
Be that as it may, the first footballing encounters between Ghana and Nigeria dated back to the 1950s.
Jollof Derby And Past Bits
Currently, Nigeria vs Ghana remains one of Africa’s most contested football fixtures. The two nations are known for producing glaring talents and historic teams that have conquered tournaments.
The Jollof derby refers to the football match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Ghana’s Black Stars. The term stems from the country’s long-standing rivalry on who makes the best Jollof rice. It is a spicy West African dish used for parties and celebrations.
The Jollof derby is the oldest rivalry in West Africa. It sometimes gets marred by chaos and controversies as the teams battle for pride and football supremacy.
Both countries have played themselves the most times on the African continent-49 times. This is the oldest rivalry in West Africa. The first encounter was exactly on October 16, 1950.
Both countries have capped players from the other. Leotis Boateng and John Benson played for Nigeria while Tanko Abdul Razak and Aminu Kalala are Nigerians who wore the colours of the Black Stars.
Nigeria suffered her highest defeat to Ghana in 1955- a 7-0 loss.
Ghana have qualified for the World Cup thrice while Nigeria have qualified six times but the Black Stars have gone the furthest, reaching the quarterfinal at the 2010 edition in South Africa.
Both countries have won the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Nigeria have won it five times while Ghana have triumphed twice.
Ghana won the first-ever African medal in football in 1992 and Nigeria went two steps better by winning gold at the 1996 Games.
The Super Eagles also won an Olympic gold medal in the 1996 Olympic.
Nigeria and Cameroon are the only African nations with the medal. The Black Stars bagged a bronze medal in the 1992 Games, becoming the first African country to win an Olympic medal.
The Black Stars have thrice qualified for the World Cup and reached the quarterfinal at the 2010 edition in South Africa.
Their Jollof rivals have made it to six editions, but the furthest they have gone is the round of 16 three times.
Rivalry Origin
It was Ghana’s passing of the Aliens Compliance Order in 1969 that led to a simmering of proper animosity between both nations.
Naturally, and in the spirit of the rivalry, Nigeria would enact a similar law in 1983, enforcing a large-scale eviction of Ghanaian citizens.
Just Like Jellof Rice Contest…
The healthy battle in all strata of existence has continued. When one side pioneers something, the other puts forward a competing alternative so both sides are trapped in a bizarre love-hate dance, while ironically enough, seeking the validation of the other.
So, Jollof War is keenly contested as well, with everything from the type of rice and the amount of spice used, as well as the presentation. Amusingly enough, it is a debate that has also elicited reactions from diplomats, musicians and politicians alike, but there remains no proper consensus on which version is superior.
Just as in sports, mostly football, the rivalry spreads even in entertainment industry.
Back To The Present
Friday’s match will be the 60th encounter between both countries, since a Jalco Cup match on October 20, 1951 ended 5-0 in favour of Nigeria.
Twenty of the previous 59 duels have ended in draws, including their last two encounters (The 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches) in March 2022.
Their last friendly match in London on October 11, 2011, ended scoreless.
The Falconets of Nigeria who are seeking a back-to-back golden accomplishment at this level will slug it out with an ambitious Black Princess who wish to make a positive statement on home soil in women football.
In all, the outcome of the matches will speak volumes with continuous outpour of some sorts.
Trust that Heritage Times (HT) will as usual serve you the latest as it unfolds. Keep it locked.
