Sam Pyne calls for inclusive patriotism from Ghanaian fans ahead of Nigeria clash
The Mayor of Kumasi, Samuel Pyne has urged Ghanaian football fans, all of mixed backgrounds, to put any form of differences aside , bring back the love and rally behind the Black Stars ahead of the much-anticipated game to ensure they qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana will host the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi in the first leg of the FIFA World Cup play-off on Friday March 25, 2022.
The Black Stars are eyeing a place in the global football showpiece , however, they must negotiate their way past eternal rivals, the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Sam Pyne speaking on SilverSports with Fancy Di Maria indicated that he is hopeful of the team’s qualification and hence urged Ghanaians to ignore any injury inflicted on them in the past and bring their patriotism and nationalism heritage.
”If there are issues or any past differences, this is not the time to bring them up but rather put them aside and maintain our support for the team for victory”
”The important thing now is to qualify … when Ghana wins one truly sees the local economy boost, the pride in having the country’s name in FIFA’s records”
All eyes will be on Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi for the first leg, before both teams fly to the MKO Abiola Stadium for the reverse fixture – with the winners on aggregate earning a ticket to Qatar 2022.
Ghana interim coach Otto Addo has named his 27-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff against Nigeria.
Captain Andre Ayew misses out owing to the red card he got in the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations finals held in Cameroon.
Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers: Joseph Wollacott (Swindon Town -England), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (KAS Eupen -Belgium), Lawrence Ati Zigi (St Gallen -Switzerland), Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates -South Africa).
Defenders: Denis Odoi (FC Brugge -Belgium), Andy Yiadom (Reading FC -England), Gideon Mensah (Bordeaux -France), Dennis Korsah (Hearts of Oak -Ghana), Montari Kamaheni (Ashdod FC -Israel), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City -England), Joseph Aidoo (Bordeaux -France), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg -France), Abdul Mumin (Victoria Guimaraes -Portugal).
Midfielders: Iddrisu Baba (RCD Mallorca -Spain), Edmund Addo (FC Sherif -Moldova), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam -Holland), Elisha Owusu (KAA Gent -Belgium), Thomas Partey (Arsenal -England), Daniel Kofi Kyereh (FC St. Pauli -Germany).
Wingers: Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Sporting CP -Portugal), Osman Bukari (FC Nantes -France), Joseph Paintsil (KRC Gent -Belgium), Yaw Yeboah (Columbus Crew -USA).
Strikers: Felix Afena Gyan (AS Roma – Italy), Christopher Antwi-Adjei (VFL Bochum), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace – England), Kwasi Wriedt (Holstein Kiel -Germany)
