Nigeria coach Shuaib Amodu and his Ghanaian counterpart Osam Duodu have launched a war of words ahead of their World Cup qualifier in two weeks. The two west African giants, whose rivalry dates far back as 1950’s are meeting in a duel the Nigerians must win to qualify for the World Cup.

Amodu said on Monday he was confident his team would emerge victorious, he says: “I am absolutely confident that the qualification is within our grasp now. While it is true that Ghana have always been a problem for us, I think the time has come for us to establish our supremacy. We will win convincingly.” Amodu’s boast came barely 24 hours after Osam Duodu dismissed in Accra any notion that his team would not give their all against Nigeria. He said: “It is true we are out of contention for the World Cup, but that does not in any way mean that we are going to Nigeria for a tea party. We have a reputation to defend and personally I want to maintain my good record since I took over the team.

“There is nothing like ‘selling out’ as we are going to Nigeria to win. We have our pride as a nation and that was what we proved to Liberia in Monrovia.” Nigeria have 13 points, two short of Liberia while Ghana are third with 11. A victory over Ghana will see the Super Eagles through to Korea and Japan with 16 points. A draw will clear the path for George Weah’s Liberia to qualify for the first ever time.

But the coaches statements are sure to add fuel to the tension already building up in Accra, Lagos and Monrovia because Ghana have always been Nigeria’s bogey team, as the Super Eagles have not been able to beat them in nearly two decades.