Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has stressed the importance of picking maximum points in their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Uganda on Friday.

The Black Stars are set to host the Cranes at the Tamale Sports Stadium in what will be their maiden encounter of the group stage of the qualifiers.

The West Africans are chasing a fourth straight participation at the global showpiece after appearances in 2006, 2010 and 2014.

“It is an important game for us the players and every Ghanaian as well," Gyan told TV Africa.

"We need to win to make our chance [of qualifying for Russia 2018] brighter.

“Games with Uganda are always difficult, you remember they drew with us the last time we met [in Ghana] and I know they will be coming in with that mentality.

“But as I said, we need to win and win convincingly.

"I know all the players know what is at stake, so we have no choice than to win this game.”

Ghana will subsequently play Egypt in away fixture on November 13 before completing the first round of the group stage against Congo at home in August next year.