By Francis Ajuonuma
Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho says the Black Stars of Ghana cannot be a stumbling block to the Super Eagles’ quest to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.
The Black Stars will host the Super Eagles today at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi in the first leg of their final 2022 World Cup playoff, while the return leg takes place four days later at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja with the overall winner in both legs qualifying for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.
Speaking ahead of today’s match in Kumasi, Iheanacho, who is likely to be in the Super Eagles starting X1 in the match said, although it is not going to be an easy match, he remains 100 per cent confident that the three-time African champions will make meat mince of the Ghanaian no matter the opposition.
According to the former Man City player, the present squad of the Super Eagles is rich with several quality players, who are really hungry to make it to the World Cup in Qatar.
“I’m 100-per-cent confident that we will go through. Obviously, they have a strong team, a strong squad, good players, and they really want to win as well, so it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be a fight. We have to work really hard and want it more than them. But I have so much confidence in this Nigeria team and the group of lads we have here. I’m very confident we will be at the World Cup.
On what he expects from his striking partner, Victor Osimhen, who is making a return to the team after missing the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon due to injury said: “Everybody knows he’s a fantastic striker. He’s a great goal poacher. He has great talent. I’m always very happy playing alongside him because I know his game, I know his strengths, and he knows mine as well. Sometimes I find myself playing behind him. I think we have a good partnership and hopefully, we’ll work more together going forward.
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On the possibility of coming up against his Leicester City teammate, Daniel Amartey in today’s match, Iheanacho replied: “He’s told me how he’s going to mark me, stop me, and I’ve told him how I’m going to help us score goals against them. But it’s just banter. It’s a good rivalry.
He described the rivalry between both countries as a healthy one that often brings out the best from both teams.
“It’s not just a rivalry – it’s way more than that. It’s a lot of things. It’s a massive game. It means everything to Nigerians anyway, and this time it’s for a World Cup place. I really hope we can go through and make our people happy,” he added.
