Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: How Nigeria can beat Ghana- Ighalo
The Saudi Arabia-based striker missed the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in January and February 2022, where Nigeria did not make it past the second round
Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo says the Nigeria players must focus on themselves if they have to defeat a very tough Ghana side this month to get a spot at the 2022's World Cup in Qatar.
Ighalo who is returning to the national team says he is happy to return to be back and promised to work with his colleagues to ensure the Super Eagles qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
The Saudi Arabia-based striker missed the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in January and February 2022, where they made it to the second round.
Ighalo, a former Manchester United man, was prevented from joining the team by his club side Al Shabab and has since transferred to fellow Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal.
Ghana and Nigeria will be playing in an upcoming two-legged playoff later in the month to decide which of the two will get one of the five slots allocated to Africa at the World Cup slated for Qatar between November and December 2022.
Ighalo says being handed a place in the Super Eagles squad to face Ghana is a big honour considering the number of top players Nigeria has.
"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.
"I am happy to be part of the squad again."
The attacker is delighted to return to the Nigeria squad but insists they must explore their own potential instead of focusing on the Ghanaian side ahead of the two grudge matches.
"We have two big games against a very strong and equally ambitious side, but we must focus on ourselves."
"It was a big disappointment not to play at Afcon but that is in the past because this is another chance for me.
"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."
Ghana hosts the opening leg of the World Cup play-off in Cape Coast on Friday, March 25 The return leg will be in Abuja next Tuesday, March 29.
The Black Stars appointed former Newcastle and Brighton manager Chris Hughton as a technical advisor last month. Otto Addo is the head coach of the team.
Ghana has fired coach Milovan Rajevac after their group stage exile of the Nations Cup in Cameroon
