Ighalo trains with the side (Archive)

In continuation of the mind games between Nigeria and Zambia ahead of next week’s crucial World Cup qualifier, Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo says the Chipolopolo can’t stop the team from getting the sole ticket to the 2018 Mundial.

Gernot Rohr’s men sit atop Group B of the qualifiers with 10 points, with Zambia three pints behind on seven points ahead of the must-win October 7 clash in Uyo.

And Ighalo, who starred in the double-header against Cameroon in September, has assured that Nigeria would beat Zambia and seal a sixth World Cup appearance, Vanguard writes.

“I’m happy to be called up again because it’s always a great honour to play for my country,” Ighalo said from his base in China.

“We know Zambia is a strong team and they will come with full determination in Uyo. We cannot engage in irrelevant pre-match talking but deliver on the pitch.

“I’ve never played at the World Cup and like my other colleagues, we all want to be in Russia, this is like a final for us.”

Meanwhile, Zambia coach Wedson ‘Wada’, Nyirenda has named foreign professionals for the tie with the likes of Goalkeeper and captain Kennedy Mweene, Russia-based Fashion Sakala, Emmanuel Banda from KV Oostende, the Red Bull Salzburg pair of Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu leading a 23-man squad.