By Oyinlola Awonuga (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo is not considering coming out of his self-imposed retirement from international football despite the increasing appeal in some quarters urging him to return to the national team.
This was revealed to newsmen in a telephone conversation with the footballer’s brother, Moses Ighalo, following the latest appeal made by former Super Eagles skipper, Nwankwo Kanu, urging the former Watford forward to reconsider playing for Nigeria.
Ighalo has been in superb form since joining Manchester United on loan in January with the player having scored three goals in seven outings prompting Kanu to moot the idea of encouraging the player to play for the Eagles.
According to Kanu – a two-time African Footballer of the year, “Nigeria needs every good player no matter where they are playing or their age.”
But Moses Ighalo, the player’s brother was non-committal, saying Ighalo is currently focusing on doing well for United and is not considering returning to international football. “Well, I have to thank Nigerians for the support Odion has received since joining United which was his boyhood dream club. The goodwill has been massive and the entire family appreciate it.
“For now, Ighalo has not hinted me or the rest of the family as regards coming out of international retirement. All his focus, for now is doing well at United and we are all praying for him to succeed.
“It is good the little he has done at United has not gone unnoticed but I know he would consult with the family if he wants to change his mind about playing for Nigeria,” Ighalo’s brother added.
Another ex-Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba in his own opinion believes Ighalo’s decision should be respected having served the country well before calling time on his international career.
Ighalo is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United, on loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua of the Chinese Super League. The player who started his career at Nigerian clubs Prime and Julius Berger, moved to Norwegian club Lyn in 2007.
