Addo: Goalless draw has put Nigeria under pressure

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Mar 27, 2022. 13:00

Ghana head coach Otto Addo believes Nigeria will be under immense pressure in the second leg of their World Cup playoff qualifier after the goalless draw on Friday.

Neither team managed to make a breakthrough in the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi thanks to outstanding work from both goalkeepers.

Addo has only been at the helm for just under two months after replacing Milovan Rajevac, who was sacked in January following the Black Stars’ poor showing at the recent Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Ghana international felt his side matched the Super Eagles and claims there will be great expectations on the hosts to deliver at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Monday, which could play into their West African rival’s hands.

“The Nigerians saw that we can play as well. Even though the AFCON wasn’t good I think we matched them up,” Addo told the press.

“They have high quality players but in all it was equal. The pressure will be on them at home and no away goals can hurt a lot.”

Commenting on the home leg, he added: “I think the guys did well but under these circumstances, I can say they followed the plan and even though we made some mistakes, they stuck to the plan.

“We had good positions and good runs. We created some chances and controlled the game in the first 30 minutes and there were some breaks and some fatigue.

“We couldn’t press like we would have wanted to, but in all, it was a deserved draw.”