Nigeria hope to break jinx against Ghana

Nigeria are confident of beating Ghana for the first time in 18 years when the two sides clash this weekend in a crucial World Cup qualifying match in Accra.

Both teams are desperate to win the encounter to remain in contention for the single group two qualification spot for next year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

The group also contains Sudan, Sierra Leone and Liberia, who lead the standings on nine points from four matches. "The Ghanaians believe they can always beat Nigeria but it's about time we ended this long run without a win," winger Finidi George said on Wednesday in the coastal city of Lome, where the Nigerians are preparing for the match.

Goalkeeper Ike Shorounmu also expressed confidence in his side's ability to win the match.

"West African derby matches are always intense and our recent record against Ghana is poor. But we fully believe that it's going to be different this time," he said. Both players were in the side that lost 2-1 to Ghana in the semifinals of the African Nations Cup in 1992.

"It was a painful defeat for us that day because we threw away the lead after dominating most of the match," George said. Assistant coach Austin Eguavoen, who also played the 1992 Dakar match, said: "The players are well aware of the importance of this tie. As well as being a World Cup qualifier it's a chance for us to exact some revenge on a side that has proven very difficult for us to beat.

PRESSURE ON PLAYERS

"A victory would be even sweeter if we can accomplish it in Accra." Nigeria last defeated Ghana in 1983 -- a 2-1 victory in a qualifying match in Accra for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic soccer tournament.

Their Dutch-born coach Jo Bonfrere acknowledged the match had put extra pressure on the players.

"The long spell without a victory piles further pressure on my squad who are desperate to win this game to enhance our chances of reaching the World Cup finals," he said. "I share in their optimism but we must not let the 1992 defeat affect our approach to this game, it's the present that's important not the past," Bonfrere said. " "Our squad has more experience than theirs but we can only win if we can match their collective fighting spirit," Bonfrere added.

In stark contrast to the opposition, Ghanaian coach Jones Attuquayefio has named an entirely home-based squad to face a Nigerian squad of players who ply their trade overseas. Bonfrere said 13 of his 18-man squad had arrived in Lome, while players involved in the European Champions League were expected to join the squad before Friday.

"Despite having little time to prepare for the match, Lome is a much better place for my players to train than Lagos. They find it easier to concentrate here without family friends and the usual army of journalists distracting them," Bonfrere added.

The Nigerian coach is confident that George and Tijjani Babangida can shake off minor injuries to make themselves available for Sunday's match.