THE intensity of hype and interest that Sunday's match between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria is generating stems from tradition of rivalry between both countries in football.

According to Francis Oti-Akenteng, a deputy director at Ghana's National Sports College, the Black Stars versus the Super Eagles any day is an encounter every soccer fan would want to witness. It is also a match which many would not venture to predict.

Thus, Oti-Akenteng who was head coach for Ghana's Under-17 football team that participated in the UEFA/CAF Meridien Cup tournament concluded in Bari, Italy about one month ago, refused to make any prediction concerning the outcome of the match.

He, however, said that the tie had the strapping of a local derby although it is purely an international meet.

"It is, he explained, "comparable to a match involving Asante kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak.

"Nigeria versus Ghana at this level has the strapping similar to those you can find when local clubs with formidable teams and strong band of supporters behind them meet.

"It is difficult to predict the result of such a match. It could go either way.

Oti-Akenteng who said he had a stint as footballer in Nigeria while he studied in various educational institutions including the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaira, said:

"Just imagine the meeting of two glamorous clubs of old: Shooting Stars versus Bendel Insurance or ICC-Enugu Rangers' clash.

"You cannot easily say that this club will beat this one."

He noted that Nigeria and Ghana are greatly endowed with skillful footballers, adding that parading a number of such talents in one match shows the importance of the tie.

Coach Oti-Akenteng remarked that previous experience had shown teams' present forms could be the determinant factor.

According to the Ghanaian who also said he was taught by Dr. Tijani Yusuf the Secretary General of the Nigerian Football Association at ABU, Ghana considers the Sunday encounter with Nigeria as the most crucial in the 2002 World Cup group qualifying series.

The Black Stars are fourth on the table behind Liberia, Nigeria and Sudan. They have won only one of their games. They lost to Liberia and Sudan.