Nigeria gets full house ahead Ghana clash as Victor Osimhen backed to destroy Black Stars
Augustine Eguavoen has a full house following the arrival of goalkeeper John Noble to the team’s camp on Wednesday.
So far, 25 players have arrived at the Super Eagles camp as the team prepares to face West African neighbors Ghana in the 2022 World Cup playoff.
Nigeria began camping on Sunday in Abuja, similar move made ahead of their just AFCON participation in Cameroon.
Latest update from the NFF indicates that the team has a full squad to embark on their trip to Ghana on Thursday.
The team will fly out via a chartered flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday morning.
The team is expected to land at the Kotoka International Airport before they embark on their trip to Kumasi for the first leg encounter which comes off at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The team upon arrival will train at the match venue 24 hours before the game as stipulated by the competition regulations by CAF and FIFA.
Ghana and Nigeria will battle it out for one of the five tickets to represent Africa at the 2022 World Cup to be staged in Qatar in November.
The second leg encounter comes off four days time at the Moshood Abiola Sports Stadium in Abuja.
Victor Osimhen backed to destroy Ghana
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen’s skill and offensive qualities have been praised by Jonathan Akpoborie, a former Wolfsburg and Super Eagles attacker.
In an interview with Ghana portal Soccernet, Akpoborie claimed that Osimhen possesses attributes that Nigeria can make the most of in the games against Ghana in the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs.
He claimed that the Osimhen would be a proud addition to any top European club and that he is the striker that Nigerians have been clamouring for a long time.
“I saw that game (Napoli against Udinese) and he’s the real deal,” the former Hansa Rostock striker said.
”When Nigeria says they’re looking for a striker, that is the striker we are looking for. Any top club in Europe will be proud to have Osimhen today. And what Napoli do is to play to his strength.
“They do everything for him to score goals that you see. He’s not playing to wait for the ball to come through the middle. Napoli most of the time go the wings and the pull-outs are what they give to him every time.
“If you watch Napoli play, about 70% of their attacks come from the wing because they know if they pull out, the boy has strength there.
“That’s what I believe Nigeria should be doing. That’s what the coach should be working on because that’s where our goals will come from.”
Osimhen who has scored 15 goals this season expected to lead the line when the Super Eagles face Ghana on the 25th and 29th of March.
Nigeria began camping on Sunday in Abuja but trained for the first time on Tuesday with 21 players present.
The second leg encounter comes off four days’ time at the Moshood Abiola Sports Stadium in Abuja.
Nigeria were in Russia and are hoping to get to Qatar while Ghana are seeking a return after missing out on the 2018 edition which France won by beating Croatia in an entertaining final.
Leon Balogun eyes qualification
Leon Balogun is focused on helping Nigeria qualify for the 2022 World Cup to be staged in Qatar.
According to the Rangers defender, he is not concerned about the rivalry between the two countries.
“I tried to leave the rivalry pretty much aside,” Balogun was quoted by Super Eagles’ official Instagram account as saying.
“Without saying that I don’t respect the rivalry, but for me personally in my preparation for the game, it doesn’t matter too much.
“Because for me, is where do I want to go with the team, and that is the World Cup.”
Ahmed Musa urges teammates to give their all
Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa has urged his teammates to give it their all when they face Ghana’s Black Stars in the first leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff on Friday in Kumasi.
Musa who has scored four goals at the World Cup finals, two behind Africa’s top scorer Asamoah Gyan with six goals, wants the Super Eagles to obtain a positive result against Otto Addo’s side in Ghana before the return leg in Abuja next week.
“We have to give all what we have in the first game to see what we can have before we come back home,” Musa was quoted by Super Eagles’ official Instagram account as saying on Tuesday.
“And by the grace of God, we will do all our best to see what we can do over there.”
Musa joined Nigeria camp on Monday and took part in their first training session on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Super Eagles will fly out via a chartered flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday morning.
The team is expected to land at the Kotoka International Airport before they embark on their trip to Kumasi for the first leg encounter which comes off at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on March 25, 2022.
Ghana and Nigeria will battle it out for one of the five tickets to represent Africa at the 2022 World Cup to be staged in Qatar in November.
