2022 World Cup play-off: Felix Afena-Gyan expresses readiness for Black Stars game against Nigeria

As Roma youngster Felix Afena-Gyan has finally accepted invitation to play for the Black Stars ahead of the 2022 World Cup play-off tie with Nigeria.

The Black Stars will play the Super Eagles in a two-legged encounter on Friday with the winner securing one of the five slots on the African continent.

The first leg of the titanic qualifying tie will be played on March 25 at the Baba Yara Stadium. Four days later, the two giants will meet again in Abuja with the aggregate winner qualifying for the tournament later this year.

Afena-Gyan rejected an initial invitation into the Ghana national team for the World Cup qualifiers last year.

He subsequently turned down Ghana again for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after his representatives pleaded, he needed time to settle at Roma under the wings of head coach Jose Mourinho.

That decision seems to have paid as the youngster has gone on to earn more game time as part of the Giallorossi first team.

Gyan has 14 league appearances including four starts and two goals- all against Genoa last November when he climbed off the bench to bag a brace on his debut.

In a post sighted by Footballghana.com, the enterprising forward has expressed his readiness to feature against Nigeria in the World Cup play-off.

“Ready” he tweeted.

He is expected to join his Black Stars team by close of today.

Gyan will be chasing his first international cap in the two important games for this month.

Having missed out in the last edition of the Mundial, the Black Stars are seeking to play in the World Cup for the fourth time having played in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 in Germany, South Africa and Brazil respectively.

In head-to-head meetings between the two West African rivals, Ghana enjoys the superiority having won 25, drew 19 and lost 12 in 56 clashes.