Three-time World Cupper and Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu is urging the Super Eagles to rise to the challenge and score an early goal to unsettle and destabilize the Black Stars when both teams face off in a highly anticipated 2022 World Cup playoff on Tuesday evening.

Though the Super Eagles have improved defensively having conceded just once from open play in their last five competitive matches, they have not managed to find the net in the last two games.

In the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria failed to win a game they scored first just once, against Cape Verde in Lagos, and their earliest goal during the period was scored by Victor Osimhen in less than one minute against the Blue Sharks.

Kanu was delighted with the performance of the Super Eagles in the goalless draw with the Black Stars last Friday and is backing them to finish the business in the second leg.

Speaking to reporters at the end of Monday evening's workout, Kanu said : "We go all out, get the result, try to score early goals and settle the game, dominate, and then win but it is not going to be easy the way I'm talking.

"The first match was a good game for us knowing all the stuff that happened over there, we know it's not going to be an easy game but the boys are up for it, and they did very, very well.

"Now we are in Nigeria so it's time for us to do our own part and I wish everyone of us come and support them, pray for them.

"I know that they are ready and they want to do it and tomorrow by God's grace we win"

Napoli striker Osimhen is Nigeria's leading scorer in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers with four goals in seven appearances.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel