Africa-Press – Ghana. A Nigerian football analyst who wasn’t impressed with Moses Simon’s display in the first leg of the 2022 World Cup playoff tie against Ghana, has advised the Nantes winger to reduce playing to the gallery.
During the first leg, Moses attempted to dribble past Ghanaian defenders on two or more occasions but failed, losing the ball in the process.
He also missed a big chance before he was substituted in the 74th minute.
“I think Moses Simon is fond of playing to the gallery. At his level, I don’t think he needs to be dribbling like he did at the Nations Cup”, McAnthony said in a chat with Vanguard ahead of the second leg of the tie on Tuesday in Abuja.
“You are up against Ghanaian players that are no-nonsense players. They are playing right in front of a capacity crowd and you expect them to just watch you dribble and make pranks. No, it doesn’t work that way.
“Twice Moses Simon tried to dribble, twice he lost the ball, and he still wanted to maintain the same style of play. I expected Eguavoen to have taken him out of the game much earlier. I was surprised he was left on the pitch alongside Samuel Chukwueze. I think Eguavoen got it wrong there.
“I expect Eguavoen to keep Simon on the bench for the second leg. We don’t need to use wing play for the Ghanaians again. Let’s play direct football and see what it gets us.”
Nigeria will host the Black Stars at the 60,000 capacity Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The first leg, played in front of a large crowd at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, ended 0-0.
Nigeria need an outright victory to secure one of five spots to represent Africa in Qatar while Ghana will qualify with a win or score draw.
Nigeria are attempting to qualify for a fourth consecutive World Cup and seventh overall, while Ghana, who qualified in 2006, 2010 and 2014, are hoping to return to the tournament after failing to qualify for the 2018 championships in Russia.
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