One player
Nigeria coach Samson Siasia will be looking to for goals against Egypt in this
weekend’s AFCON 2017 double-header is England-based forward Odion Ighalo.
The
26-year-old striker is undoubtedly Nigeria’s man of the moment with his fine
scoring form for Watford in the English Premier League and he relishes the
prospect of leading the Super Eagles’ charge against the Pharaohs.
“I'm equally
looking forward to the AFCON qualifier against Egypt like every Nigerian,”
Ighalo, who recently aided Watford to a place at the last four of the FA Cup at
the expense of holders Arsenal.
“These
matches (against Egypt) are important and crucial towards our aspirations of
playing at the next tournament in Gabon,” he added.
The Nigerian
has been the Hornets' leading scorer in the English Premier League (EPL) with
14 goals on the last count and believes his rich vein of form will come handy
against the seven-time African champions.
The Super
Eagles will host the Pharaohs on Friday, 25 March 2016 in Kaduna before
traveling to the Egyptian city of Alexandria four days later for the return
leg.
“My attitude
towards these two matches against Egypt would be similar to Watford’s. I will
give my best and play with a lot of determination. We know the matches against
Egypt are not going to be easy but with determination, we shall be victorious.”
Ighalo has
shown overtime that he is a team player and he reckons that the Super Eagles’
collective efforts would be a huge factor against the Pharaohs, currently atop
the standings on six points, two points richer than the West Africans.
“Against
Egypt, it is not only about counting on Odion Ighalo. It is going to be about
team effort and I want to believe as a team, we have what it takes to confront
Egypt.
“For
instance at Watford, if I don't score others still do because football is a
team effort; and I want to believe with our collective effort, we would get
good results against Egypt.”
Ighalo is
unperturbed by the recent change in the coaching staff of the Super Eagles
following the dramatic resignation of Oliseh, saying he was ready to work his
socks for any gaffer in charge and ensure victory for Nigeria.
“I will as
usual give more than 100 per cent irrespective of the fact that we have new
coaches in charge of the team. There is nothing new and I would go out there
and do my best like I have always done under previous coaches.”
Back at
Watford, Ighalo has won everybody over including coach Quique Sánchez Flores
who gave him a pat on the back following the goal against Arsenal in the FA
Cup.
“The coach
has been motivating me and telling me to keep working hard and that the goal
will come at the right time. Eventually, it (goal) came against Arsenal and I'm
happy about it. Personally, it would be a dream come for me playing at
Wembley.”
Though,
having a chance of playing on at Wembley is a welcome boost to his career,
Ighalo said the quest for the ticket to the 2017 AFCON finals is equally
important.
“It has
always been a dream to play at the Wembley Stadium because it is regarded as
the traditional home of football in England. My focus now is on the coming
matches against Egypt and as I said earlier, our collective efforts would see
us through.”
The Super
Eagles beat Chad 2-0 in Kaduna before playing out a barren draw with Tanzania
in Dar es Salaam in their two previous games.
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