World Cup playoffs: Ghana envoy assures Nigeria of warm reception in Kumasi

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

Ambassador Rashid Bawa, Ghana high commissioner in Nigeria, has assured Nigerians of a hitch-free encounter between Black Stars and Super Eagles when both teams meet in their World Cup playoff game billed for Kumasi on March 25.

The Ghanaian envoy, who gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to Sunday Dare, the sports minister, in Abuja on Wednesday, said a long-standing sporting relationship existed in both countries.

Bawa added that the sportsmanship would be demonstrated during the playoff game.

“The chartered flight that will airlift the Nigerian contingent to Kumasi in Ghana will be given a landing permit without hassles and the team will be given all the cooperation needed for easy passage into Ghana and during the period of their stay while five per cent of the total tickets for the match at the 40,000-seater Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi will be given as complimentary tickets to the Nigerian contingent,” Bawa said.

On his part, Dare said Nigeria would continue to maintain the relationship with Ghana, despite the tension around the playoffs.

“These games should be seen in the sporting way where there are possibilities of winning and losing. We need to demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship. We must not see the games as a do or die but rather as an avenue to further strengthen the bond that exists already between us,” Dare said.

The sports minister thanked his guest for the gesture and promised that Nigeria would reciprocate the hospitality on the return leg scheduled for March 29 in Abuja where he also said logistics to ensure a successful hosting of the game had been put in place.