Odion Ighalo, a Nigerian professional footballer who also doubles as a Saudi Arabia club striker, Al Shabab, has said he won’t rush his return to the Super Eagles two years after he announced his international retirement.
Recall Ighalo left the Super Eagles team after finishing top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and previously resisted pressure from coach Gernot Rohr to reverse his decision.
However, Rohr and Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick have publicly called for Ighalo to play in the country’s upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Ighalo reacting to this, disclosed that his decision to return to the Super Eagles team is not a step to take in a “rush.”
In his words:“Talks have been going on for a while now, and I respect the coach and the NFF president,” Ighalo, now playing for Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, told newsmen.
“But it’s still an ongoing talk and it’s not something I have to rush, ” he said.
Victor Osimhen has filled the void left by Ighalo’s absence as the Napoli striker emerged joint-top scorer with five goals in qualifying for the 2021 Nations Cup.
But Ighalo’s impressive recent club form has prompted Rohr to consider him again, while Pinnick reiterated the need for his experience to “combine with our energetic youthful Osimhen, (Paul) Onuachu, Kelechi (Iheanacho) et al”.
The decision to bring back Ighalo, who has eight goals in nine matches for Al Shabab this season, has led to a public backlash from fans on local radio and social media.
“Osimhen is still our number one striker,” Rohr said. “But if Ighalo will come back, his maturity and experience will help Osimhen, the others and our team.”
Ighalo’s 16 international goals rank him among the country’s top six scorers.
Nigeria face Liberia and Cape Verde next month in their final two Group C matches in World Cup qualifying, with the group winners progressing to the play-off round.
