Osimhen says he’s ready to face Liberia & applauds Ighalo invitation
Ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Liberia on Saturday, Victor Osimhen has said he’s ready to face the Lone Stars, and added that the team is looking forward to receiving Odion Ighalo.
Osimhen joined his teammates at the Super Eagles’ training camp in Morocco on Wednesday in preparation for the game on Saturday.
Speaking with NFF TV at the camp, the 22-year-old Napoli star said he’s in good condition and always ready to represent Nigeria.
“I feel good. It was important to rest for a few days before I play the game on Saturday,” the striker said.
“I am always ready when I’m called upon, and to give my all for my country is one of the most important things in my career.”
Among the 24 players called up for the World Cup qualifiers is Odion Ighalo. Ighalo’s re-call comes two years after he quit the Super Eagles after finishing as top scorer at the African Cup of Nations in 2019.
Fans labelled Ighalo’s invitation as needless, seeing as the national team already has quality options in attack. But Osimhen says Ighalo is good for the team, noting that “the coaches and the football federation know what’s best” for them.
“He is good for the team,” Osimhen said, when asked about Ighalo’s invitation. “The coaches and the federation know what is best for the team. So we welcome him with open hands and we are looking forward to receiving him in the camp.
“And like I said before, he’s like a big brother to me and I really love him a lot,” Osimhen continued. “I admire him a lot and for me it’s one of the most important things to have him in the squad.
“We all have a common goal to qualify the nation for the World Cup and to do well at AFCON. So whatsoever is good for the team, I think the federation and the coaches will bring it into play.”
Odion Ighalo has yet to join the team at the training camp in Morocco as at the time of writing.
The Super Eagles, who are top of Group C, will face Liberia on Saturday before hosting Cape Verde in Lagos three days later.
