Ghana vs Nigeria continues to garner momentum, with FIFA confirming North African officials to handle the double-header
The West African rivals face each other for a World Cup ticket later this month as Nigeria already named a crack team to prosecute the fixtures
Referee Jiyed Redouane from Morocco will be in charge of the first leg in Cape Coast, while Tunisia’s Sadok Selmi will officiate the second leg in Abuja

North African referees have been named to officiate the crucial 2022 World Cup qualifiers between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The latest confirmation by the world’s football governing body says Jiyed Redouane from Morocco will take charge of the first leg of the encounter in Gold Coast.

The 42-year-old was said to have had his first international game on June 9, 2012, as he had been a CAF and FIFA official since 2009.

Nigerian outlet Daily Post reports that Redouane also took charge of Ghana’s Group G clash against Ethiopia in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers last year.

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Tunisian referee, Sadok Selmi, will officiate the second leg in Abuja.

The Black Stars will take on the Super Eagles on March 25 at the Cape Coast Stadium, before the second leg is played four days later in Abuja.

Inkoom tips Ghana to go all the way

Meanwhile, former Black Stars right-back Samuel Inkoom is optimistic of Ghana's chances ahead of the World Cup playoff against Nigeria later this month.

The 32-year-old, who represented Ghana at the 2010 World Cup says the rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria transcends beyond just form.

Samuel Inkoom was a member of the Black Satellites team that won the FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009.

He earned a promotion to the Black Stars after the youth tournament and was named in the teams for the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola and the World Cup in South Africa.

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Inkoom has not played for the Black Stars since the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations but insists his door is not shut at the national team yet.

Ighalo fires warning to Ghana

Sports Brief earlier reported that Odion Ighalo has sent some stern warning to Ghana ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off tie in March after netting the winner for Al-Hilal as they defeated Al Ittihad 2-1 in the Saudi League.

The 32-year old striker restored Al-Hilal's lead in the 68th minute after Haroune Camara of Al Ittihad had cancelled out Salem Al-Dawsari's initial strike for the hosts.

Ighalo's goal has now taken his tally for Al-Hilal to four goals in the league in only his fourth appearance for the Saudi Arabian side.

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