The ex-Manchester United striker is back in the Super Eagles squad almost three years after he called time on his international career
Fans have questioned Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr’s decision to hand Al-Shabab striker Odion Ighalo a recall to the national team.
The former Manchester United forward is in the 24-man squad for Nigeria’s clash against Cape Verde and Liberia, which confirms his return after more than two years away.
Rohr had initially confirmed that he spoke with the 32-year-old before naming the player in his squad. However, many Nigerians have questioned the decision to recall the former Watford striker.
The German tactician was criticised for leaving out Taiwo Awoniyi, who is one of the top scorers in the German Bundesliga this season, in favour of a player plying his trade in Saudi Arabia.
Nigerians took to Twitter to express their shock at the recent list put out by the 69-year-old coach.
We have Ighalo, Shehu, Musa, Onuachu in our squad list. All four will get straight passes for AFCON.
We clearly have no future with Rohr in charge.
— Ayodeji Ayodeji (@AyodejiX2) November 1, 2021
It is a big joke, anyone trying to defend Ighalo’s return. The coach somewhat seems to be getting his priorities right atm, but you throw in a figure from the past whose inclusion even though it worked was frustrating, coupled with a love-hate relationship from fans.
Why?
— 🌻 (@debolaadebanjo_) November 1, 2021
How do you justify picking a striker earning his pension is SA over a young bull painting the Bundesliga red with goals? One thing we now know for sure is how low the German coach rates his home league.
— Adeyemi Adegboyega (@stgboye) November 1, 2021
How long ago was the last nations cup? What level has he been playing in since then? Are you really justifying his inclusion based on past exploits? Then we might as well recall Okocha and Cameroon might as well recall Etoo and Ghana Asamoah. https://t.co/kEd0tAmuQd
— Adeyemi Adegboyega (@stgboye) November 1, 2021
That this has gone from idea to reality is bad enough. But the fact that reality is at the expense of Taiwo Awoniyi – Nigeria’s highest goalscorer in all competitions in Europe’s top five leagues this season – is an outrage.
— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) November 1, 2021
Rohr recalled Ighalo from retirement. In doing so, he dropped Awoniyi, overlooked Moffi and Umar. SMH
— Ayodeji Adegbenro (@dejigbenro) November 1, 2021
what exactly will odion ighalo offer super eagles that osimhen and awoniyi can’t offer? let’s not forget that osimhen scored 5 goals en route to afcon qualification
— Ayo (@OTUNBA_AYOMIDE) November 1, 2021
I wouldn’t have any problems with recalling Odion Ighalo if he was playing well and regularly in a top league and if we lacked options in CF. As it is, he’s playing in Saudi Arabia & the Super Eagles have at least 3 better options in CF. It’s a strange and unjustifiable call up.
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) November 1, 2021
So let me get this straight only players in football right now who have scored more goals than Taiwo Awoniyi is Lewa, Haaland, Benzema and Salah.
So Nigeria drops Taiwo Awoniyi who plays in the Bundesliga and calls up Odion Ighalo who plays in Saudi pic.twitter.com/4L46NEHs8h
— . (@Nigerianscamsss) November 1, 2021
Before his initial retirement, Ighalo scored 16 goals in 35 appearances for Nigeria. He will hope to add more when Nigeria take on Liberia and Cape Verde in their final group games for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles need just a win from the two games to secure their place in the final playoff round.
