Fascinating details about Mali's national football team
FootballExcited Football Fans Single Out Thomas Partey for Qualifying Ghana to World Cup
- West African rivals Ghana and Nigeria played out a nerve-racking 1-1 draw in the second leg of the World Cup final eliminator
- Ghana made a return to the FIFA World Cup in spectacular circumstances when Thomas Partey's goal proved crucial in the all-important decider against Nigeria
- Football fans on social media could not help but single the Arsenal icon for praise after his show-stopping display against the Super Eagles
Black Stars and Arsenal midfield linchpin Thomas Partey was the hero in Abuja as Ghana sealed one of Africa's five World Cup tickets under the noses of Nigeria.
Thomas Partey's first-half strike in the all-important World Cup decider was more than enough as the Black Stars made a return to the global showpiece after missing out on the last edition.
The Arsenal midfielder came under serious scrutiny following Ghana's poor showing at the 2021 AFCON and did little to cover himself in glory with his below-par display against Nigeria in the first leg of the World Cup play-offs.
But the deputy Black Stars skipper will rediscover his form which has made him a cult hero at Arsenal when he broke the deadlock after just ten minutes at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
His strike from the edge of the box caught Super Eagles goalie Francis Uzoho unawares as the Black Stars silenced the vociferous home crowd.
A goal from the penalty spot by Nigeria skipper William Troost-Ekong did little to avert the damage caused by Partey's strike as Ghana held on to a 1-1 scoreline to book a spot at the World Cup.
How did football fans react to Partey's heroics against Nigeria?
Ghana secure World Cup berth under the noses of archenemy Nigeria
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Thomas Partey's 10th-minute goal proved too costly for the Super Eagles as it eliminated Nigeria from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
A complete profile of Nigeria's national football team, what have they achieved?
FootballThe Super Eagles had been optimistic about getting a victory against the Black Stars after holding the Ghanaians to a goalless draw in the first leg in Kumasi.
The 60,000 capacity Moshood Abiola Stadium had been packed full of supporters who came to cheer the Super Eagles to victory but left disappointed after the final whistle.