2022 World Cup playoffs: Former Enyimba coach Ikhana says qualifying for World Cup is Nigeria’s birthright

Former Enyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana has disclosed that qualifying for the 2022 World Cup is Nigeria’s birthright.

Nigeria will travel to Kumasi to take on Ghana on Friday, 25th March, with the reverse leg set for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 29th March from 6pm.

The Super Eagles are seeking to qualify for the global showpiece a 7th time and, since 1994, have missed only one of seven editions.

“The team is good enough to get the tickets and I don’t think the Ghanaians can stop them from qualifying for the World Cup,” Ikhana told Brila FM.

“We saw both teams at the Africa Cup of Nations, although that’s few months ago, but I still believe the Super Eagles will get the better of the Ghanaians.

He added, “The first leg is vital and they must give their best to ensure that they come home with good results.”

“The World Cup is Nigeria’s birth right and we can’t afford not to qualify.”

This upcoming encounter is one that will be keenly watched by football fans in Accra and Abuja because of the known rivalry between the two countries.

Meanwhile, 12 Nigeria players have reported for camp ahead of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup play-offs against the Black Stars of Ghana.

The players are camping at the Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja, ahead of their two-legged tie.

Six players including William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina and Frank Onyeka were the first to arrive at the camp, according to the team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji.

However, Daniel Akpeyi, Ahmed Musa, Oghenekaro Etebo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Shehu Abdullahi and Francis Uzoho joined the group ahead of the start of the training session on Tuesday.