By Nicholas Osei-Owusu
The atmosphere is still charging among residents in the Ashanti regional capital of Kumasi for tonight’s crucial Qatar FIFA World Cup qualifier between Ghana and Nigeria. Supporters of both the Black Stars and Super Eagles have expressed optimism of their respective teams wining the match
Football matches between Ghana and Nigeria at any level have always attracted high interest and patronage by peoples of both countries and tonight’s encounter is no exception.
Incidentally, the stakes in today’s match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium are exceptionally high since it is the first of the two-legged final stage of the qualification series for this year’s FIFA World Cup football tournament to be held in Qatar in November 2023.
GBCNews’ drive through Kumasi even though showed little euphoria around the match, the immediate vicinity of the match venue, the Baba Yara Stadium was that of a charged one. The sale of the paraphernalia of both Ghana and Nigeria were fast picking up.
Soccer enthusiasts will not be deterred by the security measures to restrict access to the Black Stars inside the stadium as they defied all odds to remain at the entrance.
Then came the most vociferous Fan Group known as The Porcupine Tertiary made up of students at the various tertiary schools in Kumasi. They were fired up to provide unending “Gyama”(cheer songs), to the Black Stars during the match that kicks off at 7.30 pm today. Some of their leaders, Ahmed Yazed and Kingsley Mensah who spoke to GBCNews said “their support for the Black Stars represents a win for Ghana”.
Even though not too many supporters of the Nigeria Super Eagles were seen around, the handful found were also in high spirit, and hopeful of a positive outcome for their team. GBCNews caught up with Shola Agoro, the National Liaison Officer for Supporters of the Super Eagles in Ghana, Mr. Agoro predicted a win for Nigeria.