“Let me die playing for my people” – Super Eagles star vows to shed blood for World Cup qualification

Nigeria trade tackles with Ghana in the coming hours for a chance to feature at the Mundial to be hosted by Qatar later in the year

Watford forward Emmanuel Dennis is convinced that the Super Eagles clash against Ghana’s Black Stars at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja today is the biggest match of his life and career.

Having secured a goalless draw in Kumasi on Friday, Nigeria need a win of any margin to earn one of Africa’s five World Cup tickets.

But five-time Afcon winners Ghana are no pushovers, and Otto Addo’s men could upset the odds and qualify at the expense of the Eagles with a win or a score draw.

Dennis refuses to imagine such eventuality, insisting that he and his international teammates are ready to shed sweat, blood, and even their lives, if need be, to triumph over the Ghanaians.

“These games are the biggest games of my life and my career. We must go all out for our country. It’s do or die. Players must be ready to drop our blood and sweat on the pitch to qualify for the World Cup,” Dennis told BBC Sport Africa.

“I’ve never thought in my head that we didn’t qualify. Impossible. If I’m going to die on the pitch, let me die playing for my people,” Dennis added.

“You play this tournament one time every four years, and before the four years, you don’t even know what can happen. You can even die before the next one.

“You might not even be playing football. So many things can happen. So, if you get the opportunity, you need to write history. We have to come out and give everything.

“We don’t need all the criticism as we must all come together as one to support the players, the country and make sure we are the ones going to the World Cup and not our opponent.”

Emmanuel Dennis has made only three appearances for the Super Eagles since making his debut in September 2019.

But the former Club Brugge star is one of the most exciting Super Eagles attackers after notching nine goals and five assists in 27 games for Watford in only his maiden campaign for the Hornets.