Road to Qatar 2022: Ighalo returns as Rohr invites 24 Super Eagles for Liberia, Cape Verde duels

It is no longer a rumour about the return of Odion Ighalo to Super Eagles as Coach Gernot Rohr has included the Saudi based striker among the 24 players invited for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde later in the month.

 Among the invited 23 other players include team captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Leon Balogun, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, forwards Moses Simon and Victor Osumhen, as well as 16 others.

The Super Eagles will tackle the Lone Star of Liberia at the Grand Stade Tangier in Morocco on Saturday, 13th November and then fly into Lagos for the final group game against Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday, 16th November.

Top of their pool with nine points but hotly chased by seven-pointer Cape Verde who host Central African Republic on the island of Mindelo, the Eagles need the three points against the Lone Star on the neutral turf of Morocco’s principal northern city to remain on firm ground when hosting the Blue Sharks three days later in Nigeria’s commercial and industrial capital.

 

Leicester City of England’s midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the last round of games home-and-away against Central African Republic, is back in the trough, just as fellow Premiership boy Alex Iwobi and Spain-based forward Samuel Chukwueze.

 

Coach Rohr has this time extended invitation 2019 Africa Cup of Nations’ top scorer Odion Jude Ighalo, who announced his retirement from the international game following that AFCON feat in Egypt.  

 

The invited players and overseas-based members of the technical crew are to report directly to the city of Tangier on Monday, 8^th November while technical officials from Nigeria are to report in Tangier the same day.

EAGLES FOR LONE STAR & BLUE SHARKS

 

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

 

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

 

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)

 

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

 

Osimhen's story to greatness inspire me and my son into football

By Abdul Momoh

Azeez Olatunji; remember the name? It is expected that not many will recollect the name that early, but few soccer fans, especially Super Eagles' faithful will.

Olatunji was a die hard fan of Super Eagles' forward Victor Osimhen who jumped 30 feet down into the pitch celebrate with the Napoli forward when he scored for Eagles against Lesotho in an Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifying match in Lagos.

In this exclusive interview with Abdul Momoh in Lagos on Thursday, the father of one who is also a grassroot football coach disclosed that Osimhen is his favorite player in Super Eagles and has inspired him and son to venture into the business of round leather game. 

The Iseyin born football enthusiast was arrested for his act on that day but didn't regret any moment of his actions even as he suffered a minor spinal disorder from the incident. 

"I love Victor Osimhen and I'm inspired about him and his story from grass to grace, he's really a motivation for me, my son and my young boys.

"So when he scored against Lesotho, I was so excited so I jumped 30 feet to rush to the field and celebrate with him.

I had spinal pain after and my family took me to hospital when I got home. I realize all is not well with me when I started urinating blood. I'm actually getting better but I'm still feeling a sharp back pain small small now. 

"I wasn't really care about being arrested for what I did because I satisfy my mind and wish. They took me inside Black Maria but when they saw my son crying seriously, they released me."

Azeez further added that he met the Napoli striker at his father's burial and was so happy to take a picture with and his son but looking forward to have a conversation with Osimhen.

I'm rooting for Osimhen to score two or more goals tomorrow.

"I was really happy to see him at his father's burial and it gave me joy that he agreed to take a picture with me and my son. I can't wait to meet him again and have a word with him.

"I'm a football coach my team is Ade Football Academy and I want to help young footballers like my son who I want him to be great in football like Osimhen.

I wish Nigeria win their match here and I'm rooting for Osimhen to score two or more goals tomorrow (against Liberia)."