Scoring goals is an art Super Eagles point man Odion Jude Ighalo does so well and now IKENWA NNABUOGOR believes the China-based striker will deliver the goods for his country at the AFCON in Egypt.
Super Eagles Profiles Forwards
When the exchanges for the Group B opening game between the Super Eagles and debuting Burundi kick off later in the day, Odion Ighalo is expected to score the goals to ensure victory.
AFCON 2019 will be Ighalo’s first major senior tournament and he will be relied on to score the goals that will be counted on as Nigeria eye their fourth AFCON title.
Interestingly, it was in same Egypt that the former Lyn Oslo marksman led his country’s attack as well as his men during the 2009 U20 World Cup.
It’s exactly 10 years Ighalo represented his country at junior level but failed to return a goal, but he’s back at same country now at bigger level to prove he was worth another shot.
Ighalo fired seven goals to emerge top scorer in the Egypt 2019 qualifiers, one goal more than his direct opposite striker Fiston Abdul Razak, and smart money will be him to continue his fine scoring form.
Ighalo’s incredible goals rush in the Chinese Super League will remain a huge reference point for the exciting goal banger as he’s expected to score in this first-ever encounter with Burundi.
New comers Burundi, just like the Eagles opponents in the qualifiers Seychelles, are largely seen as less illustrious but could spring some surprises.
And Ighalo, just like he fired goals in both legs in the qualifiers, will be primed to continue where he left off.
He has put behind him a hamstring injury he suffered at his Chinese club and everything now points to him getting more goals records under his belt.
The former Granada striker is no stranger to records and just like he propelled his former Spanish side from third-tier football to the La Liga for the first time in 36 years, he could also be heading towards achieving Rashidi Yekini’s feat as an AFCON Goal King.
