Ghana's Home-boys Hold Nigeria

GHANA MAINTAINED an 18 year unbeaten record against Nigeria as they held the Super Eagles to a 0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier in Accra today.

An all Accra Hearts of Oak set-up, managed by the club's head coach Cecil Jones Attquayefio, battled proudly to deny Nigeria in a goalless draw. Ghana represented by the Hearts of Oak starting line-up dominated proceedings from the first whistle of Zimbabwean referee Felix Tangawarima, whose performance was appalling, and continued to dictate the pace of the game.

The Black Stars missed clear chances which could have sent the Super Eagles packing back to Nigeria four goals to the worse, but the inexperience of Charles Taylor cost the Stars the desired result and also skipper Emmanuel Osei Kuffour's bad judgement in front of goal gave mercy to the Nigerians.

The Super Eagles also came close to scoring but striker Victor Agali made a mess of a clear chance when he had an empty goal to shoot at after goalkeeper Sammy Adjoin had fumbled with a cross. Agali after controlling the ball shot against the cross bar to the relief of the Ghanaian side and their fans.

Fans threw bagged water onto the field of play after many strange decisions on the part of the official Felix Tangawarima.

THE NIGERIANS though not completely disgraced also showed their experience with deft touches by Kanu and good commanding play from Sunday Oliseh.

In the second-half, it was almost the same pattern of play exhibited by the Ghanaians as in the first period, as they kept the pressure on the Super Eagles with the Nigerians also responding well with their long balls.

Coach Jo Bonfere made two substitutions in the second period by bringing on Julius Agahowa for Garba Lawal and Babagangida for George Finidi.

After the game the jubilant Black Stars fans expressed satisfaction with their team's performance.

Ghana: Sammy Adjoin gk, Amankwah Mireku, Jacob Nettey, Agyemang Duah, Stephen Tetteh, Joe Ansah, Adjah Tetteh, Charles Taylor, Ishmael Addo, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour and Charles Allotey (who was in the second half replaced by Baffour Gyan, the only outsider in the Black Stars set-up).

Nigeria: Ike Shorumu, Godwin Okpara, Udeze Isaac,Oliseh Sunday,West Taribo, Ifejyegwa Emmanuel,Okocha JayJay, Kanu, Agali Victor, Lawal Garba.