LAGOS (AFP) - - Ghana's Black Stars will beat major group rivals Nigeria to qualify for the 2002 World Cup the top official of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said here on Thursday.

"Ghana will qualify for the World Cup ahead of Nigeria because the Nigerians are now past it," GFA secretary general Wollanya Agere told reporters.

"Nigeria have seen their good days. Most of the players now have very little to offer the team.

"Only teams with young, selfless and determined players can lead their country to the World Cup and that's why we are very confident we will be the ones playing at the next World Cup," he added.

Ghana, four time African champions, are yet to play in the World Cup finals while Nigeria qualified for the second round in each of the last two tournaments in the United States and France.

The Black Stars lead the group for the 2002 World Cup to be jointly staged by South Korea and Japan.

Ghana beat Sierra Leone 5-0 in their opening game of the qualifying series while Nigeria could only manage a 2-0 victory at home against the same opponents.

The Nigerians also lost to unheralded Liberia in their second qualification game.

Sudan are the other country in the five-team group.