Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has reiterated the Super Eagles will play their heart out when they face Ghana in the World Cup play-off in Kumasi.
The Super Eagles will play the Black Stars in a two-legged encounter with the winner securing one of the five slots on the African continent.
The first leg of the titanic qualifying tie will be played March 25 at the Baba Yara Stadium before the reverse encounter on March 29 at the Moshood Abiola national stadium in Abuja.
According to Akpeyi, who plies his trade for South African side Kaizer Chiefs admitted Ghana will not pushovers but reiterated they are going to play their heart out in the first leg to better their chances of qualifying over the Black Stars.
“We have a crop of good players who are able to help Nigeria qualify for Qatar,” Akpeyi told IOL.
“Ghana is also a strong team; there has been a rivalry between the countries on many things. Football is a big part of this and at the end of the day, it is the team that prepares very well and gets ready to take their chances and defend well. This 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 are going to give our heart out there.”
Akpeyi, 35, could be in line to make his 20th appearance for the Super Eagles, with regular number one Maduka Okoye ruled out of the encounter.
Nigeria have arrived in Kumasi for the much-anticipated clash on Friday.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen and his technical team arrived with 25 players for the crucial encounter.