'We are condemned to win' - Super Eagles, ex-Man Utd striker reminds int'l teammates pre-Ghana

It is no secret that Nigeria qualifying for their seventh World Cup depends on Augustine Eguavoen's team beating the Black Stars on Tuesday evening, whether on penalties or in regulation time, after they were held to a goalless draw at the Baba Yara Stadium. 

Ahead of the visit of Ghana, former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has reminded his Super Eagles teammates of their ultimate target, which is to secure qualification for the World Cup.

A member of the Nigeria squad to the 2018 World Cup, Ighalo reported for international duty in red-hot form with a career best 22 goals in a single season but watched proceedings from the bench in the first leg of the 2022 World Cup playoff on Friday night.

Ighalo has also sent a message to the Super Eagles supporters, saying that he expects them in their droves to the cheer on the team to victory at the M.K.O Abiola National Stadium Abuja.

Speaking to reporters, including allnigeriasoccer.com, at the end of training on Sunday evening, Ighalo stated : "We know we are condemned to win at home and if we want to go to the World Cup we have to win.

"We know it is going to be a difficult game, it's going to be a tough one but the boys are ready to go.

"We just call on the fans to come out in numbers to cheer us on Tuesday, we are looking forward to them because they are our 12th man.

"Without them it's going to be impossible so we want them to come out in numbers, support us and cheer us to victory. By God's grace we are going to win the game."

Ighalo was convinced to reverse his decision to quit international football last November and was named in the finalized 2021 Africa Cup of Nations squad but was prevented from linking up with the team by his former club Al-Shabab.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel