A cross-session of Nigerians have called on Augustine Eguavoen to partner Victor Osimhen and Odion Ighalo when they face Ghana in the crucial World Cup play-off this evening.
The tension is building up for the massive showdown at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja which hold the destiny over 200 million Nigerian fans.
The Super Eagles held the Black Stars to a 0-0 draw at the Baba Yara Stadium in the first leg and are hoping to secure qualification on home turf.
The Black Stars landed in Abuja on Monday in preparation for the second part of the play-off against Nigeria.
Ahead of the blockbuster encounter, a some session of Nigerian football fanatics have entreated coach Eguavoen to start Ighalo alongside Osimhen, a move they believe will go a long way to help the team against the Ghana.
Ighalo, who returned to the Eagles after a two-year hiatus missed the first leg tie in Kumasi but has since impressed in training, with fans clamouring for the striker to be paired along with Napoli frontman Osimhen.
“I want Eguavoen to try both Osimhen and Ighalo in attack because of their current form. Osimhen can learn a lot from both of them playing together,” a fan Fatima Mohammed told PUNCH Sports Extra.
A youth corps member, Lewis Akomolafe, said, “I think if the coach decides to drop Kelechi Iheanacho, then he should play Ighalo along with Osimhen, that will be like a double threat.”
Farouk Abdul Rahman added, “The way Osimhen was marked in the first leg affected his play. If Ighalo starts along with him in Abuja, it will be difficult for the Ghanaian defenders to hold both strikers down. I think if they focus more on Osimhen, then Ighalo will shine. If they hold both of them, then the wingers will shine, so, I think it’s a win-win with an Osimhen and Ighalo partnership.”
A scoring draw will see Ghana qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup mundial in Qatar in November this year whiles Nigeria needs a win to make it at the expense of Ghana.
Nigeria are in search of their 7th World Cup qualification whereas Ghana chase their 4th qualification.