Nigeria vs Ghana Prediction: Super Eagles to claw way to win

It may be an international friendly but there's rarely any love lost in games between Nigeria and Ghana, two of Africa's footballing powerhouses, and it's expected to be another battling affair when the pair meet at Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Friday (KO, 13:00).

Below is all the latest team news and match odds ahead of the 'Jollof derby', as well as our Nigeria vs Ghana prediction.

Team News

The managerless Super Eagles have made a few exciting additions to the squad that reached the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final in February.

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi and Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi return after missing the tournament in Ivory Coast through injury, and the duo are joined by Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella, who is looking for his second cap.

Rangers forward Cyril Dessers is also in a 26-man squad which features Serie A attackers Victor Osimhen (Napoli) and Ademola Lookman (Atalanta).

Ghana endured a miserable AFCON, crashing out at the group stage without a win, and head coach Chris Hughton was subsequently replaced by Otto Addo, who has recalled Brighton & Hove Albion wing-back Tariq Lamptey.

Captain Andrew Ayew (Le Havre) has been selected again alongside his brother Jordan (Crystal Palace), and there are other UK-based players involved such as Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth), but Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United) has pulled out through injury.

Arsenal's Thomas Partey is not involved as he looks to build up his fitness during the international break.

Match Odds

Nigeria have been installed as EVS favourites for Friday's fixture, with Ghana priced at 11/4 to claim victory. The draw can be found at 2/1, and both teams to score is 6/5.

Nigeria to win @ EVS

Nigeria's performance at the AFCON saw them rise 14 places to 28 in the FIFA Men's World Rankings, while Ghana's woes saw them slip six spots to 67, putting them 14th in Africa.

The differences in ranking reflect what has been shown on the pitch, in my view. Nigeria started awkwardly in Ivory Coast but after drawing their first game, the Super Eagles went on to record four consecutive wins to nil before beating South Africa on penalties to reach the final.

Ghana couldn't beat any of Cape Verde (1-2), Mozambique (2-2) or Egypt (2-2) and their winless run now stretches to five games in all competitions. They've lost four of their last eight matches, and despite a change in management, there is a lack of quality in the squad.

This match-up with Nigeria probably comes a little too soon in the Addo era, especially without Kudus, and I expect the Super Eagles - despite not having a proper manager themselves - to show their superior quality.

Half-time/full-time - Draw/Nigeria @ 18/5

A slow start from both sides wouldn't surprise me. Discounting games with youthful, home-based players at tournaments like the African Nations Championship, the last four meetings between Nigeria and Ghana have seen the teams head into half-time with the scores level.

The Super Eagles and the Black Stars are both undergoing significant changes after a big tournament, so it may take time for the sides to take on board the instructions given to them by new coaches.

As such, I think it could be a low-scoring first half, potentially goalless, before Nigeria turn the screw in the second half and claim victory.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.