We'll beat Nigeria again, says Gyan

By Ifeanyi Ibeh


Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan is confident that the Black Stars will, in continuation of Ghana's recent dominance over Nigeria, emerge victorious over the Super Eagles when both sides meet in an international friendly billed for August 9 in London, England.

Both Nigeria and Ghana will take their age-old rivalry to the English capital next month in what will be the latest in a recent line of matches involving teams from both countries, the most recent of which came up last weekend in Kumasi where the Ghanaian Under-23 side defeated their Nigerian counterparts 2-0 in an All Africa Games qualifier.

Just less than two months ago, the Ghanaian women's national team defeated Nigeria's Super Falcons 2-1 to send the African champions packing from the All Africa Games taking place in Maputo, Mozambique.

Although a Nigerian side made up entirely of players from the Nigerian league defeated their Ghanaian counterparts at the last WAFU Cup of Nations tournament which took place in Nigeria back in May, the Ghanaians have an edge over the Nigerians as far as Grade-A games are concerned.

Although, the Super Eagles have had their own fair share of victories over the Black Stars, the last time they did that in a FIFA-endorsed game was back at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Port Said, Egypt where a long range effort from Taye Taiwo ensured victory for Nigeria in a Group D encounter.

Since that late January game in Egypt, it has been Ghana all the way with the Black Stars winning three straight games against the Super Eagles with the last of them, a 1-0 victory, arriving at last year's Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

And Gyan, who scored the solitary goal that separated the two sides in that semi-final game in Luanda, is looking at continuing his country's dominance over Nigeria on August 9 at Vicarage Road, home of Championship side Watford.

"There is a big rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria. They will try to win this time but we are also upbeat about our chances," Gyan told Accra-based radio station, Peace FM.

The 25-year-old Sunderland ace then added: "Let's see what God will do. We will win."