The 32-year-old is in line for a shock return to the national team more than two years after he decided to end his international career
Al-Shabab striker Odion Ighalo has confirmed that Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick have contacted him over a potential return to the national team.
The former Manchester United man retired from international duty after Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he finished as the top scorer with five goals.
However, almost three years after his retirement, Rohr revealed Ighalo is set for a return after naming him in his provisional squad for next month’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde and Liberia.
Pinnick also revealed he has been in contact with the ex-Watford striker over a potential return. Ighalo has now confirmed that talks did happen, but he has not decided on whether to return or not.
“They have been in contact with me about the possibility of coming back, Amaju and coach,” Ighalo told ESPN. “I don’t know. I have not said yes or no. I haven’t made any decision concerning the national team.”
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old showed why Rohr wants him back in the squad after he scored in Al-Shabab’s 3-0 win against Al Tai on Thursday night.
Before his retirement, Ighalo made 35 appearances for the Super Eagles, scoring 16 goals.
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Jude Igalo is a fantastic player,but Igalo is too skill full to be a striker.If he did makes a return to the Super Eagles,the coach should consider using him as a supporting striker not top nine.
Odion Ighalo can still play an active role within the Super Eagles. He scored 5 goals and was the highest goal scorer at the last AFCON where we had great players like Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and others. He should be convinced to return, after all, Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are still playing for their national teams. He should not only be brought back to the national team but should be given the Captain's armband. Two or three more years in the Super Eagles is not too much sacrifice for Odion. Obulu (Thank you) for representing us well.
I am not sure we understand the implications of this and every one in support of Ighalo's return are not in tune with football
His selfishness caused us from progressing to the second round in the last world cup when all he could have done was to pass the ball to a better positioned Ahmed Musa
But let's progress beyond that ...
The guy is not playing at any elite European club or league ..
He couldn't make the cut in Man U ..he is ultra slow and will mess up the flow of Victor Osimhen.
Why bring him back ?
Thanks o..
Our coach is suffer from technical deficiency. Since he took over, you could notice that the man a lazy man who came to Nigeria to collect his pension. So, Pinnick is the new scout for the coach? Rohr takes every shit that comes his way just to retain the job. He took pay cut sometimes ago, just to stay. He looks everywhere in the world to bring Nigerian to the team, especially those who are made in the came, because he jas nothing to add to the team. Rohr has no target, no focus and no ambition. He is a spent force
I don't no why Nigeria players are pulling out of national team when they are still active and good to go. In fact Nigeria football association is not organized. Performed player should look into and bring back not only Igalo. They are pulling out is all for a reason not well with them and no consideration to it.
Very good comment
Better Ighalo than Paul Onuachu. Bring him back and drop Onuachu.
I rest my case in line with the submission of Prof Patrick Enegho.
To add more, infarct, there will be confidence in the super eagles as lghalo joins back the team. Victor Osimhen is good but considering an experience player like Ighalo, Osimhen cannot be a match with lghalo. Osimhen may not even be showing up for the rest two matches due to an injury. Outside that, Rhor should reorganize the team so as to accommodate both players strongly.
We talking about the player who won the highest goal scorer in the last AFCON, highest or second highest goal scorer in Chinese league when he was there. Now scores goal in Saudi Arabian league, Scores goals at Man. United with the little opportunity he was given. Please this is not an accident. The coach knows why he needs him. Let the coach do his job please.
One person can not score goals with out assist of the other
I think we should leave the coach to do his job. We shall keep praying for the Super Eagles to make us proud. Nobody is above mistake even is that are FOR OR AGAINST.
Ighalo is welcome to SE but Rohr should not make mistake to bench Osimhen. Ighalo is an asset to SE ,his experience is vital in SE upfront
Ighalo's return at this point makes no sense as far as am concerned. What the team need is creativity and a coach that can think. At a time like this when Nigeria has a lot of young strikers in hot form painting top European leagues with goals what do you need ighalo for? Has the same ighalo that missed clear scoring chances at the last world cup against Argentina suddenly improved and better than Oshimen, Muffi, Onochu, Awoniyi, etc that they are considering bringing him back? The coach and Amaju have some serious explanations to justify this decision
Why not bring back Victor Moses, Onazi and Obi Mikel back too. When it seems we re making a little progress we turn and take many steps backwards. A good coach will use the current crop of talented players Nigeria has and win the AFCON.
V err y good point
Our coach knows what he wants, he should be allowed to bring ighalo back , Cameroon brought roja Mila back from retirement 1990 world cup and he became a hero and Italy brought rose from prison in 1982 world cup and he became world best,so who knows what ighalo can do?
Ighalo Will not honour the invitation