Former Super Eagles Player Questions Ighalo's Invite Over Awoniyi to Nigeria Camp Ahead of Ghana Clash

Former Super Eagles Player Questions Ighalo's Invite Over Awoniyi to Nigeria Camp Ahead of Ghana Clash

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:58 PM
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  • Jonathan Akpoborie says Taiwo Awoniyi should have been invited to the Super Eagles team ahead of Odion Ighalo
  • The former Super Eagles player disclosed the double-header against Ghana will require more physicality, which is what Awoniyi would offer the national team
  • Ghana is set to host the Super Eagles on Friday, March 25, in the first leg of the World Cup play-offs scheduled for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi

Former Super Eagles attacker, Jonathan Akpoborie has disagreed with Augustine Eguavoen over his player selections for the World Cup play-offs against Ghana.

Eguavoen had invited 32 players to the Super Eagles camp ahead of the crunch encounter against the Black Stars, with Taiwo Awoniyi missing from the list of strikers called up.

Taiwo Awoniyi, Odion Ighalo, Super Eagles, Nigeria, World Cup play-offs, Ghana, Black Stars
Taiwo Awoniyi was Nigeria's lead attacker at the last AFCON following the absence of Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen. Photo by Ronny Hartmann
Source: Getty Images

According to a report via Soccernet, Jonathan Akpoborie has now questioned the invitation of Odion Ighalo to the national team ahead of the Union Berlin forward.

The former Nigeria attacker believes Awoniyi would have offered more strength, which is expected of an African footballer, with Ighalo considered to require more physicality.

The Super Eagles are presently camping in Abuja in preparation for the double-header games against the Black Stars, with Ghana set to host the first leg in Kumasi on Friday, March 25.

Ademola Lookman finally arrives at Super Eagles camp

Meanwhile, Leicester City winger, Ademola Lookman has finally joined up with the rest of the Super Eagles squad at their Abuja camp.

The Vanguard reports Lookman's availability was earlier in doubt after he missed Leicester City's weekend victory over Brentford through illness.

The 24-year-old's arrival increases the number of players in the Super Eagles camp to 23 as they prepare to jet out to Ghana on Wednesday, March 23 for the first leg game in Kumasi.

Ahmed Musa: We will give Nigerians the World Cup ticket

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Ahmed Musa says the Super Eagles will try to appease Nigerians by picking the 2022 World Cup ticket at the expense of Ghana.

The Super Eagles captain says the Nigerian national team regrets their early exit at the African Cup of Nations early this year which was won by Senegal.

Musa speaking to the Nigeria Football Federation Youtube channel, cautioned that the game against the Black Stars will be a tough one due to the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana.

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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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