Odion Ighalo is determined to help Nigeria secure a spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, reports Completesports.com.
The Super Eagles will take on eternal rivals Ghana in the playoff later this month.
Ighalo was named in the 32-man provisional squad for the qualifiers by interim technical adviser Augustine Eguavoen on Friday.
The 32-year-old, who currently plays for Saudi Arabia Professional Football League side Al Hilal is keen to help the three-time African champions secure a fourth consecutive appearance at the mundial.
“It’s always a great opportunity to represent Nigeria and the ambition now is to help our country get the ticket against a very tough Ghana team,” Ighalo told BBC Sport Africa.
“It was a big disappointment not to play at Afcon but that is in the past because this is another chance for me.
“We have two big games against a very strong and equally ambitious side, but we must focus on ourselves. Playing at the last World Cup was a dream come true for many of us and we have two games to prove that we deserve to compete on that stage again.
“I am happy to be part of the squad again and I believe we have a squad and coaching crew good enough to achieve our goal.”
The first leg is billed for the Cape Coast Stadium on March 25, while the reverse fixture will take place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja four days later.
19 Comments
IGHALO/OSIMEHN
Ighalo/osimhen for sure
One thing you can’t take away from Ighalo is his love for Nigeria… Ighalo… do a good job against Ghana home and away and you have me firmly back behind you! His experience is not in question and we shall be praying that you stay injury free! One more world cup and two Afcons more isn’t a difficult milestone to wrest in still… you will make unbelievers believe again starting 24th March, 2022, and wrapping it up on the 28th of March, 2022! We stay in hope that we shall overcome!!!
The same ighalo you criticized Rohr for inviting? Wow
@Dennis are you listening to that confused bloody hypocrite?! Na Dr Drey na him fit.. LMFAO!!
*Fit am*
Those who criticise ighalo now praise him.. In life don’t listen to noise but focus on your personal development
Obviously we can’t rely on Awoniyi, Sadiq, Onuachu, but Osimhen, Dennis and Ighalo
Good luck Odion, God bless the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
His jersey has always been reserved even when he couldn’t make it to Cameroon. What Odion can do against any team besides the Black Stars isn’t in doubt. All the coach should provide for him is a sound midfield. Everything needs to be done to defeat the Black Stars.
DON’T BE DECIEVING YOURSELF. THERE IS NOTHING RONALDO-MESSI WILL PLAY TODAY THAT WILL MAKE THEM TO BE LIKE BEFORE.
GIVE YOUNGER PLAYERS CHANCE, THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR WORLD CUP WITHOUT YOU
Oga what happened to the chance we gave your younger ones at the just concluded Afcon???
Did you not see that it was lack of coach tactical discipline they lost the just concluded nations cup. It was up to the coach. Tactics, he failed. Not the young lads.
The attack line will most likely be Osimhen, dennis and simon starting with lookman coming in for simon and either chukwueze or iheanacho coming in for Dennis.
Iheanacho may start in the number 10 role but I prefer aribo or iwobi (whose name isnt on the list) there. With a fit a
Etebo and ndidi holding CM Position. The full backs are Aina and Zaidu, with any of leon/semi/omerua in the central defence.
Uzoho should be in Goal. Not Okoye
UZOHO
AINA. OMERUA. LEON. ZAIDU.
NDIDI. ETEBO.
DENNIS. ARIBO. SIMON.
OSIMHEN
Awaziem should be invited from the stand-by list to take the place of Troost-Ekong who seems to be injured, in central defence
Almost the who is who have finally supported Mr. Eguavoen with advice. @Hanssy, what about ya list na?
Help SE qualify like you did against CV.
Just a waste of slot.
Just good for Sunday-Sunday football, The match qgainst Chelsea exposed you and said a lot about your contribution.
Continue bribing!!
Onuachu, Awoniyi, Olayinka are better than you in all aspect. But this is Nigeria where you can use Picnic to get whatever in the team.
So many hypocrites here. So Ighalo is now your dependable. Yeye country. So with the strikers we have scattered is Ighalo we depending on? This man used his hand to retired, now he is finding his way anyhow inside super eagles. Udeze already said to Cerezo, don’t gamble with this qualification. Hypocrites are here. Same people who were killing Rohr for inviting him, see now praising him.
@Presh , I can’t agree less with you on your submission, but point of correction, everyone that have said in the past and criticize Rohr for inviting Sunday-Sunday football player Igahalo who were all vindicated with Igahalo total flopped against Cape Verde, even to the embarrassment of Oga Rohr, who had to be pleading to give Igahalo more time in SE ; they all maintained their stand except @JimmyBall whom I am disappointed with for suddenly making 360% u-turn .
unfortunately, as warned by Udeze as every sensible person would think ; have warned Eguafon as they cannot afford to gamble against Ghana ; otherwise, they would ended up slowing down progress of the young and active players like Ndidi , Amoo , Lukman etc who may missed WC if there is any gamble.
The area of concern is majorly goalkeeping department , that should have been any section that need overhaul and goalkeepers Trainner, not striking positions that we have avalanche of quality and younger strikers .
In all , many of football fans are only concentrating on the selection of the best players for our WC qualifying games against Ghana, but no one cares if Eguafon is paid and if the salary is appropriate; and Eguafon is the yes type that would never speak out ; the back up would be calling up players like Igahalo whom Eguafon can depend on to help him but not for football reason.
Nevertheless, I wish them the best