The race for a place at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar kicks on as two African powerhouses in Ghana and Nigeria go head to head in the first of their two-legged playoff tie at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Friday.
It is time for the world and Ghanaian football fans to experience another great moment. It is the time that could bring joy, the time that could bring sorrow.
The Black Stars will have to fight to make Ghana proud once again since 2014 after missing out the last edition of the World Cup held in Russia.
“It will be hard, we know that the road will be muddy rough but we will get there and heaven knows how we will get there.”
Ghana will host the Super Eagles in the first leg in Kumasi before but the second leg clash in Abuja.
Ahead of the game, the GFA boss has delivered a heartfelt message to Ghanaians, calling on them to throw a massive support to the Black Stars when they host the Super Eagles on Friday.
“Finally, finally the waiting period is over. It is the time of the year where every Ghanaian will have to stand up and be counted. Is the time of the year where our country’s pride is at stake. Is the time of the year where our proud warriors will once again step forward to be counted. It is the time of the year where Ghana must be at the mundial but before we do that, we have a common fold, the Super Eagles of Nigeria. They come across as our little babies but they pretend to be the big boys. At the Baba Yara Sports Stadium it will be our time not only to bring down the Super Eagles but to take custody of that sort to qualify our dear country to the mundial in Qatar.
“Now at this time, once again the collective teams spirit of the Ghanaian, the indubitable fighting spirit of the Ghanaian, the quality of our intangible access will be on display. Is the Black Stars against the Super Eagles. Is one slot and that slot must be for Ghana we need your support, we need your prayers, we need your presence at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. We have shown this before when nobody really believed we could make it. We did make it….
“My brothers and sisters, the time is up, it is time. It is time for us to come together, pray and support the team with our spirit. We said we must win against the Super Eagles. Our team is capable. They can but we should come together and support the players. The players and the Technical Team are ready but is left with our supports.
“Baba Yara Sports Stadium, we’ve done some before. We will do it again. We have to make sure that we will beat the Super Eagles. This is the time for all of us to rally together, to rally around the flag of Ghana and make our nation great and strong. It is our Black Stars. Let’s come together, let’s be at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, let’s sing and support our boys. To those in Ashanti Region and beyond, this is your time, this is your time to do the do. And to our colleagues in the Central Region who have been very very supportive of the Black Stars, it is still your Black Stars. Thank you for all the support for over the years.”
Having failed to win any of the last four meetings between the sides since 2006, the Super Eagles will head into the game seeking to get one over their West African counterparts and strengthen their qualification chances.
Ghana also endured an underwhelming campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations, where they suffered a shock group-stage exit after picking up just one point from three games in Group C.
Having lost 1-0 against Morocco in their opening game, the Black Stars played out a 1-1 draw with Gabon in their second outing before suffering a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the hands of debutants Comoros in the group finale.
Ghana will now look to quickly put that poor run behind them as they turn their sights to the World Cup qualifying playoffs, where they have been drawn against West African rivals Nigeria after narrowly clinching first place in Group G of the qualifiers.
