The Nigerian government have assured Ghana of their safety building up to the vital World Cup Qualifying game on July 29.

Ghana are worried that the game will be marred by violence should the Black Stars deny the Super Eagles victory and a place in Korea/Japan, therefore the Ghanaian Government sought security assurances for its players and supporters from their Nigerian counterparts.

The game which determines the winner in Group B has been generating a bit of tension in both countries due to the rivalry between them and the situation has not been helped by a war of Words declared by coaches Shuaibu Amodu and Fred Osam Duodu.

The Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs Nana Kumi, paid a courtesy call to the Nigerian Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, Mr Dubem Onya, in Abuja and delivered a special message from her government . Mrs Kumi expressed concern over the fate of thousands of Ghanaians fans likely to travel for the match and said it was paramount that the Nigerian government guaranteed their safety.

She said: "We want this game to be played in a peaceful atmosphere and that sporting fair play should prevail."

Mr Onya replied: "I want to assure you that this particular match will further strengthen the existing relationship between the two countries." The Ghanaians worries are not misplaced though. In 1973, when the Black Stars defeated the Super Eagles 3-2 in Lagos in the 1974 World Cup qualifying match, the Black Stars bus was destroyed by irate Nigerian fans.

Eighteen years after when the Black Stars beat the Nigerians 2-1 in Senegal in the semi final of the African Nations Cup, hundreds of Ghanaian fans were attacked in Lagos for daring to celebrate their team's victory. With 13 points, two adrift of Liberia, the Nigerians need victory to seal World Cup qualification while the Ghanaians are playing for prestige only.