'Fight to finish' - Ighalo tells 'younger' Super Eagles they cannot afford to miss the World Cup

Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has emphasised the special appeal that the FIFA World Cup holds to the younger members of the current Super Eagles squad.

Ighalo stated that the Super Eagles players who have not been to the Mundial would not know the importance of playing in the World Cup finals until after their football careers. 

The Al-Hilal striker has been to one World Cup finals, being part of the squad to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

In an interview with NFF TV, Ighalo revealed that he has been encouraging the Super Eagles players to not miss the opportunity to go to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

"I try to talk to the younger guys that have not been there [at the World Cup] before that this is an opportunity for us to go to Qatar 2022 because you won’t know how it feels now," Ighalo said.

"It’s after your football career you’ll understand what it means to play in the World Cup. I’ve been there before, I know what it is and I’m looking forward to being at another one."

Ighalo also reiterated that the second leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium is to be difficult because the Black Stars will play with nothing to lose as the away team.

Ighalo explained: “It’s home advantage for us, but it’s going to be a difficult game. Ghana are going to come all out here because they have nothing to lose. 

"We are playing home. We just have to give our best."

The former Watford and Manchester United forward called on the Super Eagles squad to give their best and fight till the end on Tuesday.

“110% on Tuesday. Take our chances, fight from the start to the finish. It’s going to be a tough one, but we’ll win by God’s Grace," Ighalo concluded.

The Super Eagles must win against the Black Stars after playing a 0-0 draw in the first leg away at the Baba Yara Stadium Kumasi on Friday. 

The FCT Minister has arranged for 100 free buses to convey fans to the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Tuesday in a bid to fill up the stadium to its 60,000 capacity.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has also confirmed that it would install VAR for the second leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.