Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has described the football rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria as one driven by competition and national pride, rather than animosity.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Gyan sought to dispel longstanding misconceptions about the fixture.
“Ghana and Nigeria is a good rivalry. It is not hatred or something. We always want to challenge ourselves. They always want to beat us in everything, even with Jollof,” Gyan said.
The ex-Sunderland and Al Ain striker emphasized that the rivalry extends beyond football, encompassing culture, music, and everyday banter, while remaining largely cordial.
“But at the end of the day, we love each other. We are very good rivals. Anybody who says we hate each other, that’s not it. We love each other, but we don’t want the other side to win. Ghana and Nigeria love each other,” he added.
Ghana and Nigeria are two of Africa’s most successful football nations, with their encounters often playing decisive roles in World Cup qualifiers, Africa Cup of Nations campaigns, and regional tournaments.
Ghana eliminated Nigeria on away goals during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, while Nigeria has historically prevailed in several AFCON knockout clashes.
These high-stakes matches, combined with passionate fans and media attention on both sides, have cemented one of Africa’s most storied sporting rivalries.
