2022 World Cup playoffs: With positive energy, Black Stars will beat Nigeria – Asamoah Gyan

Ghana highest goal scorer Asamoah Gyan has backed Black Stars to have a positive energy to be able to beat Nigeria in the first leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final play-offs.

The two West African countries will face each other over two legs scheduled for Friday, March 25, and Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

The winner of the tie will represent the continent at the World football showpiece which is scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 18.

“I played 3 or 4 times against Nigeria. We drew once in a friendly and we won three times. Nigeria never beat us whilst I played for Ghana,” Gyan told 3Sports.

“Going into this game, it’s all about the mindset. There are matches that you don’t need a coach. You just go into the game with positive energy and you will win.”

He added, “I would have loved to be in the game like this but right now I’m not playing so I just have to wish the Black Stars very good luck for this game. I have not retired yet. If I have to play actively, I just have to train and shed weight in 3 months and then I can play. Age wise I’m very okay.”

The Super Eagles are seeking to qualify for the global showpiece a 7th time and, since 1994, have missed only one of seven editions. The last of three appearances by Ghana was in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved Ghana’s request to admit 40,000 spectators for the first leg match against Nigeria at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

This comes after the Ghana Football Association’s request to play the game in a full capacity stadium following the laid-down rules by CAF.