World Cup playoff: Eguavoen set to face ex-Tottenham star in Nigeria-Ghana showdown

The two West African rivals will face each other in a two-legged affair next month to determine one of Africa's representatives at the 2022 World Cup 

Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen is set to face ex-Brighton coach Chris Hughton on the sidelines when Nigeria take on Ghana in their two-legged 2022 World Cup playoff.

The three-time African champions will take on their arch-rivals in March for a place in Qatar 2022 World Cup. The Black Stars will host the first leg on March 23 before Nigeria welcome the four-time African kings six days later.

Ghana are currently without a coach after they sacked Milovan Rajevac following a disappointing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which saw them finish bottom of a group that had Morocco, Gabon and Comoros.

However, according to ace Ghanaian journalist Gary Al-Smith, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) are close to appointing Hughton as Rajevac's successor.

Update: Ghana 🇬🇭

Chris Hughton will be named as coach of the Black Stars following a final meeting between the Sports Ministry and the GFA in the last hour.

Both parties reach compromise and the former Brighton & Hove will begin work soon. #AFCONwithGary pic.twitter.com/QXqdTa0Sbc

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) February 4, 2022

The ex-Tottenham star, who has a Ghanaian father, is expected to be in the dugout when the Black Stars take on their West African rivals.

It means Eguavoen has his work out if he is to lead Nigeria to a seventh World Cup appearance as Hughton has enough experience as a manager.

The 63-year-old was recently sacked as Nottingham Forest's boss, but he has also been in charge of Newcastle, Norwich, Brighton and Tottenham.

Eguavoen is already under pressure after his tacitical prowress was criticised following Nigeria's exit at the 2021 AFCON.