Test of character for Super Eagles

But as fate would have it, blood rivals Ghana and Nigeria confront each other in the first game of the last eight - an eagerly awaited clash pitting two of Africa's soccer giants.

The fact that the once legendary Black Stars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria are bitter enemies in West African football adds spice to the duel. The last time the two sides met in a decider at the African Cup of Nations was in 1992. Then the Black Stars narrowly edged out Nigeria 2-1 in a hard fought semi-final whose highlight was Abedi Pele's sensational header that settled the match.