NFF confirms availability of striker Odion Ighalo ahead of World Cup play-offs against Ghana

Nigeria has been boosted by the return of AFCON absentee Odion Ighalo ahead of the World Cup qualifiers play-off against Ghana, the Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick has announced.

The former Manchester United forward was named among the 28-man squad for the 2021 AFCON campaign, but missed the tournament due to club issues.

The Super Eagles will play their rivals in the final round of the qualifiers next month.

The Black Stars will host Nigeria on March 24, 2022, before traveling to Abuja for the second leg on March 27, 2022.

The winner of the two-legged game qualifies for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Ahead of the crucial game, the NFF president Amaju Pinnick has disclosed Ighalo is ready for the game against Ghana after visiting him at his base. The NFF president said this after visiting Ighalo in Qatar at the just ended FIFA Club World Cup.

“I just met with @ighalojude, the highest goalscorer at the 2019 edition of the AFCON, now playing and still scoring goals for Saudi Arabia’s biggest football club.

“Odion has assured that playing for his country will always come first and he is ready to ensure that we do play at this year’s @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar.” He said.

Ighalo currently plies his trade for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.