Ghana vs Nigeria: Simon Moses insists focus is firm on Black Stars to secure World cup slot

Nigeria forward Simon Moses says the focus has been firmly fixed on Ghana ahead of the crucial 2022 World Cup playoff between the two perennial rivals.

The Super Eagles will travel to Kumasi on Thursday for the first leg tie against the Black Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Expectation and enthusiasm is at the roof top ahead of the meeting of the two 'brotherly' nations in Ghana's second largest city, Kumasi on Friday, March 25.

And Nantes forward Simon Moses, who feels good to be back to the national team, remain confident about their chances.

"A honour I don't take for granted. Feels good to wear the national colours. Eyes on the game." he posted on social media.

The Nigerians have been talking tough ahead of the crunch double-header both in Ghana and Nigeria this month.

The winner of the tie over two legs will qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, the Confederation of African Football confirmed the Baba Yara stadium as the venue to host Ghana's crucial first leg encounter against West African rivals Nigeria.

This comes after the inspection team from CAF rejected the Cape Coast stadium, stating it is unfit to host the game on March 25.

The news has been received with great excitement by Ghanaians and this has sent some shivers to Nigerians, knowing the last World Cup playoff game by Ghana ended with a huge victory over Egypt.

The Black Stars whitewashed Egypt 6-1 at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on October 15, 2013, making the second leg in Cairo a mere formality. Ghana qualified for the World Cup in 2014, thanks to the win in Kumasi.

The 6-1 drubbing is not the only famous win by Ghana in Kumasi, a year before the game against Egypt, the Black Stars thrashed Lesotho 7-0 at the same venue.

The Black Stars also defeated Ethiopia 5-0 at the Baba Yara sports stadium during the qualifiers for AFCON 2019. Kumasi produces goals for the Black Stars, hence a reason for the Super Eagles to panic.

Meanwhile, football is considered a religion in the Ashanti Region and when the Black Stars arrive in town they are kingly received.

The fans troop to the stadium in numbers to watch Ghana play all the time, and as usual the 40,000 capacity seater stadium is expected to be filled to the brim.

Ghana will hosts Nigeria on March 25 for the first leg before travelling to Abuja in four days time for the second leg.