Former Nigeria striker, Victor Ikpeba has noted that Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen, has a lot of work to do ahead of the 2022 World Cup African qualifiers final play-off round against Ghana this month.
Eguavoen called up 32 players for the crucial two legged clashes with the Black Stars, cinsisting some surprise names in the list.
Odion Ighalo was named on the list, after previously retiring from the Super Eagles, while Ogenyi Onazi was selected after more two years absence.
However, Ikpeba maintains that Super Eagles fans and supporters should not dwell on the list.
“We are not the coaches. They must have seen Onazi doing something.
What we want to do is see them go out and defeat Ghana and qualify for the World Cup,” Ikpeba said on Supersport.
“We should not dwell on the list.
“Egu has a selection headache.”
Ikpeba added: “We don’t know if Chukwueze or Moses will start because we have a lot of forwards.”
“Europe is different because you play together regularly. Eguavoen has a lot of work cut out,it does not matter who starts.”
8 Comments
Thank you Ikpeba. This is what I have been saying, it is not about who plays but rather having coach Eguavoen and his team triumph over Ghana to qualify us for the World cup.
I don’t trust this eguavoen anymore,seems he is weak and can’t take a decision on his own, coming to to tell us he invited onazi to pacify some people is unacceptable ,I expect nothing less than 6 or 4 points from these two games,then after that he should be fired with immediate effect.
The very reason why the Big Boss was widely admired. Who trusts or respects lily-liveried coaches. The hawks in NFF will bully you to play on water-logged/millet-like pitches or outrightly force non-performers down your throat. Keshi will spit the rubbish out and rinse his mouth. Is Egu man enough?
Eguavoen is using “selection headache” as an excuse to divert attention from his major disease, which is “technical incompetence!” Bet me, Nigeria will not qualify for the 2022 Quatar World Cup!
It will be an understatement to say our game against Ghana isn’t going to be difficult.
Apart from the rivalry between the two West African Nations, the Black Stars were ousted from Afcon 2021 in the group stage, and are certainly looking forward to the playoffs to redeem their image. That means they will be throwing in everything. Historically speaking, any match between these countries has always been a-do-or-die affair.
Coach Austine Eguavoen is obviously faced with a mountainous task, that’s for sure. Our motivation however, is that we have a large pool of personnels to select from for the prosecution of the playoffs. Eguavoen must be ready to put his best foot forward that I’m sure he knows what to do.
I believe it’s important the Super Eagles score early goals presumably in the first half to be able to run rings around their opponent and possibly gain a strong footing in the return match billed for Abuja.
As usual I would advise that we maintain cautious optimism as we look forward to clinching the sole ticket. Good luck SE, God bless Nigeria.
@Oseodion: Your shirt white, your shoes shine, oshey!
@Ako amadi you guys should stop this nonense. why are you wishing the team bad luck I don’t see anything wrong with the coaching crew the players they invited are good to defeat Ghana home and away let’s pray and souport the team.i don’t see anything wrong in inviting Ighalo and onazi they are professionals with huge experience.
The backline marshalled by Troost Ekong and Leon Balogun is the weakest link in the first leg. The 2 players lacked speed on a one-on-one situation or when chasing the ball with the black stars forwards. Also Oghenekaro Etobo’s display in front of the referee is a shameful and disgraceful act unbecoming of a national team player. The Ghanians will loose the return leg at MKO Stadium by a 3 goal margin.