Moses Simon has vowed Nigeria will give ‘everything on the pitch’ to qualify to the 2022 World Cup at the expense of eternal rivals Ghana on Tuesday.
The two regional rivals go at each other at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja in the return fixture of the crunch qualifier.
Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen has parried pressure claim, insisting the Super Eagles will come good on Tuesday evening.
But that won’t come easy against a resolute young Ghanaian squad eager to make history and secure a fourth World Cup berth for the four-time African champions.
But Nantes winger Moses Simon has vowed the Super Eagles will do everything possible on the pitch to win the game.
He said in Monday’s presser: ”It’s not all about me it’s all about the teams and team spirit of course we know all it takes for this game we will give everything.”
On talks that he was caged against Tunisia and Ghana he said it was not the case.
“The game against Tunisia I was not caged and against Ghana we all know it’s tactics. It can be difficult because we know how Ghana play but we are confident of overcoming them.”
Ghana had more of the possession and chances but proved sloppy in their finishing during the first leg in Kumasi.
Only twice did they test goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who made a stop from a stinging shot by Issahaku Fatawu in the 33rd minute and then again in the 71st minute from Mohammed Kudus.
Nigeria’s best opening fell to Moses Simon 10 minutes into the second half but he squandered the chance to score a vital away goal.
Nigeria were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left when Idrissu Baba Mohamed handled the ball after being tripped in his own penalty area, but after a VAR check the referee changed his decision and handed Ghana a free kick.
Ghana were playing their first game under new coach Otto Addo, who had former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton as a consultant.
He handed debuts to AS Roma teenager Felix Ohene-Gyan and 33-year-old former Belgium defender Denis Odoi, who switched allegiance ahead of the two-legged playoff.
Leicester City’s Ademola Lookman, who had previously played for England at under-21 level, made his Nigeria debut as a substitute for the last 15 minutes.
The winner of the match will qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
