Ghana is kept to a draw at home by Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup.

Intense In Kumasi, Ghana and Nigeria were unable to break the deadlock in the first leg of their 2022 World Cup play-off, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

The match in front of a sell-out crowd in Ghana's capital featured few opportunities but was played at a breakneck pace in an electrifying atmosphere. 

Nigeria felt they had won a penalty fifteen minutes from time, but Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed overturned his judgment after consulting with the Video Assistant Referee, who was making his debut appearance in an African World Cup play-off.

Nigeria hosts three-time qualifiers Ghana in Abuja on Tuesday in another potentially tense match as they try to qualify for their seventh World Cup. 

The Baba Yara Stadium was yearning for a home goal, but both goalkeepers made excellent saves in a tight match between two sides who were eliminated early from this year's Africa Cup of Nations. 

Ghana debutant Felix Afena Ohene-Gyan was denied twice by visiting goalkeeper Francis Uzoho before thwarting lively duo Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Mohammed Kudus with a superb save. 

On the other end, Ghana goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott denied Nigeria forward Moses Simon twice when the teams clashed in a World Cup match for the first time since 2001. 

Ghana coach Otto Addo's team showed the biggest threat early on, with Gideon Mensah missing the target and Kudus' rasping attempt being pushed away. 

Nigeria's initial shot was blocked by Wollacott, but Uzoho smothered Jordan Ayew's effort after the forward's pace had stretched the defence. 

Nigeria had two chances in quick succession, with Joe Aribo spurning a good chance before hotshot Napoli striker Victor Osimhen fluffed his lines as well. 

Nigeria thought they had gained a penalty after Idrissu Baba handled the ball in the box in the 75th minute, but the referee overruled his decision. 

When asked by VAR to review his judgement on the pitchside monitor, Jiyed instead decided that Idrissu had been fouled in the build-up. 

Nigeria will be the happier team heading into Tuesday's second leg, but with the away goals rule in place, Ghana knows that a score draw - at the Abuja Stadium, where Nigeria has not played a home match in over a decade - will send them to their fourth finals. 

If the match ends in a goalless draw, extra time will be played, and if no goals are scored after 120 minutes, a penalty shoot-out will determine which of the rivals will travel to Qatar.