AS Roma youngster Felix Afena-Gyan excels on Black Stars debut in World Cup play-off against Nigeria

Young AS Roma striker Felix Afena-Gyan impressed on his debut for Ghana, appearing in the high-profile match against Nigeria on Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Otto Addo, Ghana’s coach, chose the 19-year-old to lead the Black Stars attack, and he did not disappoint.

When he was substituted late in the game due to cramps, fans applauded.

Afena-Gyan was all over the place, and his space worried Nigeria’s centre-back duo of William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun.

He controlled a long pass beautifully in the first half and teed up Fatawu Issahaku, whose ferocious strike forced Francis Uzoho to make the game’s first save.

Before accepting the invitation to the World Cup playoff tie against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Afena-Gyan had turned down two others.

The young man, who was playing lower-tier football in Ghana a year ago, insisted he was not ready.

Afena-Gyan accepted this one because he was prepared, and he proved it in front of a raucous crowd.

Both Nigeria and Ghana could not be separated as the game finished in a draw.

The game had few chances, with the talking point being a second-half penalty that was ruled out by VAR.

Nigeria was awarded a penalty with 15 minutes remaining after Ghana midfielder Baba Iddrisu appeared to have handled the ball inside their box.

However, Nigeria’s hopes of an away win were dashed as VAR overturned the penalty decision.

Following the outcome of the first leg, Ghana have two options: a win or a scoring draw will secure qualification to the World Cup finals in Qatar, while Nigeria must win to advance.

The game will take place at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.