EMMANUEL Amuneke has admitted that beating Ghana to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup will not be a stroll in the park for the Super Eagles.
However, the assistant coach of the Nigerian team is backing his side to overcome the Black Stars in Abuja in the second leg of their World Cup playoffs.
The first leg in Ghana’s much-vaunted ‘slaughterhouse’, the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, ended goalless and a win in Abuja will see the Super Eagles through to Qatar.
“The rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana is a massive one,” former Super Eagles forward Amuneke told the NFF TV YouTube channel on Sunday night.
“Those of us who have been privileged to play in these games know how huge and important they are.
“When you have a two-legged tie like this, the important thing is managing the game to your own advantage and being in a position to achieve your objective.
“We have one objective and it is to qualify. That’s a fact. However we have to tread with caution because the Ghanaian team are no pushovers.
“People are looking at how the Ghanaian team went out of the last AFCON at the group stage, but each game is totally different.
“What matters is that we’ve been able to go to Ghana and manage the game to achieve our desire. In this kind of away game, if you cannot win, make sure you don’t lose.”
There was criticism of the Super Eagles’ lack of proper utilisation of the wingers on Friday, but former flying winger Amuneke insists that is not the only way to play in the modern game.
“Football has evolved a lot and it’s not just about wing play. Your players have to adapt to different circumstances,” the ex-Barcelona star explained before highlighting how developed Ghana’s players also are.
“We should have it in mind that the Ghanaian players also play in Europe. They’re aware from tactical and technical points of view what they need to do to achieve their objective.
“We have to respect Ghana but we must also have belief that we will win on Tuesday and qualify for the World Cup.”
The second leg is scheduled to kick off at 6pm on Tuesday at the refurbished Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
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