Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
Odion Ighalo says Ghana will come ruthlessly in the FIFA World Cup Playoff clash with Nigeria.
The Al-Hilal Riyadh striker noted that the quick exit of the Black Stars from the Africa Cup of Nations will spur an act of revenge against the Super Eagles.
In an interview with ESPN clarified that Nigeria has all it takes to scale through the clash whose first leg comes up on March 25 at the Cape Coast Stadium, Ghana.
He stressed that the Super Eagles need to work harder to build on the confidence displayed during the knock-out stage of the Total Energies AFCON 2022 in Cameroon.
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The Al-Hilal Riyadh striker expressed that he was astonished at the Super Eagles style of play and commitments exhibited during the concluded continental tournament.
Ighalo said, “Because Ghana did not do well at the AFCON, they will want to bounce back so it is going to be a tough game; but Nigeria has what it takes to go through. We just need to focus and work harder and let the game against Tunisia go. We have to play with confidence, we have to express ourselves and we have to give our best.
“I was really surprised with the way they played. I saw a different spirit, I saw a different fight, I saw boys running around chasing after every ball. I saw players expressing themselves,” he added.
The Super Eagle who was included in the preliminary 32-man list by the technical adviser Augustine Eguavoen expressed that the Nigeria senior men’s football team has the potential needed to win against Ghana.
“What we need is to build from that; this hunger, this chasing of the ball, these players expressing themselves. This team has potential. It’s just for us to build from where we stopped because we know Nigerians will want to win all the time,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 32 years old has lampooned critics over his inclusion in the Super Eagles preliminary qualifiers’ squad against Ghana.
He noted that as a professional footballer for about eighteen years having played for about 11 clubs, he cares less about people’s criticism.
Ighalo said, “I don’t pay attention to that.
“Everything they’re saying is their own cup of tea. At my age, I just signed to a new team. This is my 11th team in my professional career.
“I have been called up, I will take my bag and I will go to represent my country and give my best on 100%.
“As long as I come out from every game and I’m satisfied with my performance — whether it is a win, loss, or draw — then that’s it. I’m a professional footballer.
“This is what I’ve been doing for 17-18 years so why would I be worried about what people say?,” he asked.
