Former Chelsea Midfielder Michael Essien Urges Black Stars to Beat Nigeria in World Cup Play Offs

• Michael Essien has sent well wishes to the Black Stars ahead of Ghana's all-important doubleheader against Nigeria
• The Black Stars will engage the Super Eagles in Kumasi in the first leg of the play-offs before traveling to Abuja for the second leg
• Essien played his first competitive senior debut for the Black Stars in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco

Former Ghana international Michael Essien has sent a heartfelt message to the Black Stars ahead of Nigeria games in the World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana and the Super Eagles will cross swords for one of Africa's five spots in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The first leg is set to take place at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Friday, 25 March. Meanwhile, the reverse fixture will be held at the Mashood Abiola Stadium in Abuja four days' later.

In a post on Twitter, Spotted by Sports Brief, Essien sent well wishes to his former teammates as the Black Stars seek to reach a fourth appearance at the World Cup at the expense of Nigeria.

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The former Real Madrid midfielder said:

Hey guys, this is Michael here. This is just a little video to wish the Black Stars all the very best of luck in their upcoming game against Nigeria.

I believe in you and I know you guys can do it. Come on boys, go for the win. Good luck!

Essien played his first competitive senior debut for the Black Stars in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco. He went ahead to make 59 appearances and scored 9 goals between 2002 and 2014.

The former Chelsea stalwart midfielder was intsrumental in Ghana's first World Cup team that honoured the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Essien featured in all three group games but was suspended for the Black Stars' second round match against Brazil and could only watch as Ghana lost 0–3, courtesy of strikes from Ronaldo, Adriano Leite and Ze Roberto.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Asamoah Gyan will hope the current Black Stars team can maintain his enviable record against the Super Eagles of Nigeria when the two sides meet on Friday in the World Cup play-offs.

The legendary Ghanaian attacker will is not a part in that team after being in active for over a year, but will be supporting the Black Stars as they seek to qualify for the World Cup.

In an interview with Tv3, the 36-year-old spoke about his unbeaten record against Nigeria, and believes the Black Stars can extend that run.