Top Super Eagles Striker Sends Strong Warning to Ghana Ahead of World Cup Play-Off

Top Super Eagles Striker Sends Strong Warning to Ghana Ahead of World Cup Play-Off

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM
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O. Ighalo
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  • Odion Ighalo continued his good goal-scoring form as he scored the winner Al Hilal defeated table-topper, Al Ittihad 2-1 in the Saudi League on Tuesday, March 8
  • The Super Eagles attacker has now scored four goals in four matches in the league for his new team after joining from Al-Shabab in January
  • Ighalo was recently listed by coach, Augustine Eguavoen in the Super Eagles 32-man roster to battle Ghana in the World Cup play-offs later in March

Odion Ighalo has sent some stern warning to Ghana ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off tie in March after netting the winner for Al-Hilal as they defeated Al Ittihad 2-1 in the Saudi League.

The 32-year old striker restored Al-Hilal's lead in the 68th minute after Haroune Camara of Al Ittihad had canceled out Salem Al-Dawsari's initial strike for the hosts.

Top Super Eagles Striker Sends Strong Warning to Ghana Ahead of World Cup Play-Off
Odion Ighalo has scored 4 league goals in 4 appearances for Al-Hilal. Photo by Matthew Ashton
Source: Getty Images

According to Complete Sports, Ighalo's goal has now taken his tally for Al-Hilal to four goals in the league in only his fourth appearance for the Saudi Arabian side.

The former Manchester United striker's form will come as good news to Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen who recently listed the 32-year-old in Nigeria's roster to tackle Ghana in the World Cup play-offs slated for March.

Ighalo is returning to the Super Eagles team after missing Nigeria's AFCON tournament as the striker was not released for the competition by former team Al-Shabab.

Eguavoen defends decision to recall Ighalo

Meanwhile, Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen has backed his decision to include forward, Odion Ighalo in the Super Eagles team to tackle Ghana.

According to Goal, Eguavoen says Ighalo's wealth of experience and not having enough time to build a squad was the reason behind the Al-Hilal striker being recalled to the team.

The Super Eagles coach revealed dismantling the current team will be tantamount to prepping for disaster considering Nigeria has a solid team at the moment.

Odion Ighalo Slams Those Criticizing His Return to Super Eagles

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Odion Ighalo has slammed critics questioning his return to the Super Eagles after he came out of international retirement.

Recall that Ighalo came out of retirement in November 2021 as he featured in Nigeria 1-1 draw against Cape Verde in a World Cup qualifier.

This came nearly two years after he announced his retirement from the national team at the conclusion of AFCON 2019.

Authors
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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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