By Amaechi Agbo

Ghana Football Association, GFA is leaving nothing to chances ahead of the double-header 2022 World Cup play-off matches against Nigeria as the federation is currently monitoring 15 goalkeepers to face the Super Eagles, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

The Black Stars goalkeeper trainer, Richard Olele Kingston who disclosed this said the team’s technical crew are monitoring several shotstoppers including Joseph Tetteh Annang of West Ham United but have no regard for a home-based keeper.

“I have about 15 goalkeepers that I am considering for Ghana who are to undergo training.

“Some are in Europe, some in Africa, especially Mutawakilu Seidu, Joseph Tetteh Annang of West Ham and others. I am not thinking of home-based goalkeepers,” Kingston said.

The former Black Stars goalkeeper, Kingston, has come under intense pressure after Ghana’s poor showing at the Nations Cup in Cameroon, where a lot of blame was laid at the Jojo

Before the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, first-choice Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori had to be dropped due to injury.

Wollacot, who had replaced him, had a decent World Cup qualifiers but struggled at the Nations Cup, conceding five goals as Ghana exited at the group stage.

The Black Stars have qualified for three FIFA World Cup tournaments; 2006, 2010, and 2014. In 2006, Ghana was the only African side to advance to the second round of the World Cup in Germany, and was the sixth nation in a row from Africa to progress beyond the group stages of the World Cup.

Nigeria on their part have participated in all FIFA World Cup editions since making her debut in 1994 except one (2006) and have reached the knockout stages on three occasions – 1994, 2008 and 2014.

Nigeria and Ghana, two of Africa’s oldest football rivals, will go head-to-head in a make-or-mar 2022 World Cup play-offs next month. With rich pedigree in African football, a place in the Qatar 2022 World Cup is a must for both nations.

The first leg of the two matches will be held on March 25 at the Cape Coast Stadium, Ghana while the reverse fixture is slated for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on March 29.

The overall winner will automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup holding in Qatar in November this year.