Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi who is part of the Nigerian squad for their World Cup playoff matches against rivals Ghana, says the Super Eagles are ready to fight to qualify for their fourth consecutive World Cup finals.
The two West African nations, will be contesting it out for one of the five African spots to qualify for Qatar, with the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium on the 25th of March, with the second leg four days later at Abuja’s Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Akpeyi says that while Ghana are a strong team Nigeria are prepared and they are ready to put their hearts on the line.
“Ghana is also a strong team, there has been a rivalry between the countries on many things,” the Nigerian keeper told the Kaizer Chiefs’ website.
“Football is a big part of this at the end of the day it is the team that prepares very well and gets ready to take their chances and defend as well. That is the team that will qualify.”
“For me history does not really work for football. What works for football is the preparation for today, currently, we are doing well and we have been to the last three World Cups.
“This is not going to be any different. It is not going to be a walk in the park but we going to give our heart out there.”
Akpeyi also stated that he’s happy that players like Napoli forward Victor Osimhen and former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo are back with the team.
“It’s a good thing for the team, it’s good for the coach he now has options like Osimhen, Ighalo and Dennis from Watford, Lookman as well,” he added.
“These are strong players who can give us the result we desire at the end of the day.
“We missed Ighalo and Osimhen during the AFCON they have been a strong force for us. Now that they are back, we hope everything plays out as we expect it and that we qualify.”
