Ghana are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup as they plan to bolster their squad with the recall of their all-time record scorer Asamoah Gyan to the squad for the crucial playoff qualifiers later month, returning Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has exclusively told PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Gyan is Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 46 goals.
Al-Adalah midfielder Onazi, who made this known in an interview with PUNCH Sports Extra, added that the Blacks Stars are desperate to make their fourth appearance at the world’s biggest football showpiece in Qatar after missing out on the last edition in Russia.
Ghana had previously starred at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 editions of the World Cup.
The 29-year-old also warned that the reports in the media (not in PUNCH Sports Extra) that the Black Stars were not contenders were distractive.
“I have listened to so many pundits say the Black Stars are in disarray and they are having issues,” Onazi told PUNCH Sports Extra only.
“For me this is a big distraction for us, so we would believe that all is not well in their camp. And they are not ready.
“According to some of the Ghanaian players I have spoken to, they are planning to recall Asamoah Gyan back to the squad because they want to qualify for the World Cup at all cost.
“Other players like (Mubarak) Wakaso and the likes want to be part of the team. Don’t forget they also have Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey as well.
“Qualifying for the World Cup is everything for them and they want to do it at the expense of Nigeria, which means a lot to them. But we also have dreams that cannot be dashed. They can’t stop us.
“They are a very good side with lots of experienced players with a lot of young and quality players.
“They have been together for a while now and let’s not think that because they failed to win a game at the AFCON they will be pushovers. They have also appointed a new coach, so that makes them unpredictable at the moment. The game will be tough. We have to be more careful and come out with a plan to beat them.”
Nigeria take on Ghana in the 20,000-capacity Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Ghana on March 25, with the reverse leg set for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on March 29.
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