The second leg between Ghana and Nigeria will played in Abuja on Tuesday.
It was a scrappy affair in Kumasi as Ghana hosted Nigeria in the first leg of the World Cup qualifier.
The hosts started strong, looking to test the Nigerian backline with long balls over the top. The visitors took a while to get into the game.
While their defenders withstood the Ghanaian attacks, they struggle to hold the ball up the pitch, and their attempts at pressing made it easier for Ghana to get the ball forward.
They grew into the first half though, and began to get the ball into the final third with regularly. It was a half of two halves, with Nigeria enjoying the better of the latter stages.
In truth though, neither goalkeeper was overworked, and that continued to be the case in the second half. Ghana started aggressively once again but, once they withstood the initial attempts, Nigeria continued to grow into proceedings.
It always felt like a game that might end without a goal, and in truth any sight at goal was as likely to come from a mistake, or a piece of individual quality, as it was from the organised possession of either side.
However, their lavish and confident performance as compared to the Black Stars’ AFCON run meant on paper for recent form, the Ghanaian national team were the underdogs.
But there are no underdogs when it comes to Ghana versus Nigeria.
And that proved the case in the first leg of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier Playoff game.
Ghana started the game against Nigeria at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium leaving their AFCON performance as a long-forgotten shadow of the past. The Black Stars players were fluid, sharp and looked like a team ready to give it all for a place at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Afena Gyan who had lived up to the expectations and anticipation of his appearance for the Black Stars nearly got his shining moment in the 19th minute but his attempted shot on goal was blocked before a Ghanaian player’s slip nearly gave Nigeria the first goal of the game.
In the 75th minute, Nigeria thought they had earned a penalty given after Idrissu Baba handled the ball in the box but the referee overturned his initial verdict.
Asked to check his decision by VAR on the pitchside monitor, Jiyed instead ruled that Idrissu had been fouled in the build-up.
Another goalless draw would see the tie go to extra time and if there are still no goals after 120 minutes, a penalty shoot-out will decide which of the rivals goes to Qatar.
