July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Wednesday, July 18, 2001 - Web posted at 9:52:07 GMT

Nigeria confident ahead of crucial tie with Ghana

LAGOS - Nigeria coach Amodu Shaibu is confident his team will beat neighbouring Ghana on July 29th and qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea, he said on Monday.

A win for Nigeria in their final qualifier will give them 16 points - enough to overhaul group B leaders Liberia, who have 15 points but have played all their matches - and a place at a third consecutive World Cup.

"We are well-poised to qualify for the World Cup. We can do it and will remain focused to achieve our goal," Shaibu said.

He added that the team would not be bogged down by past failings against Ghana.

Nigeria last beat Ghana in 1984 and in March they could only manage a goalless draw in Accra.

Ghana, with 11 points, are third in the group while Sudan and Sierra Leone, who have nine and four points, occupy the fourth and fifth places respectively.

Shaibu has named a 24-man squad for the match, which will be played in the southern Nigerian city of Port Harcourt.

The only significant absentees are captain Sunday Oliseh, who is injured, and striker Julius Aghahowa who along with defender Eric Ejiofor will miss the match through suspension.

Squad:Goalkeepers: Ike Shorounmu (Besiktas FC), Austin Ejide (Gabros FC), Rotimi Sunday (El-Kanemi)Defenders: Taribo West (unattached), Sani Abacha and Tony Alegbe (both Enyimba), Joseph Yobo (Standard Liege), Patrick Ovie (Ironi Leshion), Isaac Okoronkwo (Shaktar Donetsk), Ifeanyi Udeze (PAOK Salonica), Rabiu Afolabi (Napoli).

Midfielders: Garba Lawal (Roda Kerkrade), Justice Christopher (Bendel Insurance), Kelechi Okoye (Iwuanyanwu Nationale), Chukwudi Nwordu (Rangers), Jay-Jay Okocha (Paris Saint Germain), Karibe Ojigwe (Bayer Leverkusen).

Strikers: Finidi George (Real Mallorca), Pius Ikedia (Ajax Amsterdam), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Maccabi Haifa), Nwankwo Kanu (Arsenal), Victor Agali (Schalke 04), Tijjani Babangida (Genclerbirligi), Efe Ehiorobo (NPA FC). - Nampa-Reuters

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